IT
WAS COLD!
John 18:15-18
15
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was
known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
16
But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which
was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and
brought in Peter.
17
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of
this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.
18
And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for
it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them,
and warmed himself.
John 18:25-27
25
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not
thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26
One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut
off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
John
writes matter of factually about Peter’s denial. His only
explanation for Peter’s warming himself was that it was cold. Many, I included,
have preached about how wrong it was for Peter to be present at this trial but
the fact is that John was there as well. John often referred to himself in the
third person and we think that is what he is doing in verse fifteen. If that is
so then John not only followed to the fire but went inside to hear and later
record the questions. We never condemn him for being there.
It
was cold!
Peter warmed himself by the charcoal along with others. It had been a strange
night and many hands were turned toward the fire’s glow. Questions and
confusion swirled around in his head; fear had sent all his body heat to the
core leaving his extremities bloodless and cold. He tried to act nonchalant but
he was shivering. The soft glow of the coals illuminated Peter’s face and
someone recalled seeing that same face in the glow of the torches in the
garden.
John
does not give us the details of Peter’s denial. We have to rely
on the other apostles to hear the adamant denial that he was in the garden.
“No! Absolutely not! I was not there!” Peter had become a liar. “I do not know
the man!” Peter had become unfaithful. Next he utters a vulgar curse to further
prove he was not aligned with one as pure as Jesus. Peter’s slide was quick!
The
rooster crowed his sermon and if you listen carefully you can make it out.
“Yes, you were there! Yes, you were there!” Peter went out and wept bitterly.
The
world is a cold place
for those of us who follow Jesus today. There is a great temptation to warm
ourselves at the fire of unbelievers. A little compromise of our convictions, a
curse here or there, might make it a bit more comfortable for us on life’s
journey. We all might enjoy the campfire of inconsistency and drink from the
mug of unfriendly camaraderie if there weren’t so many roosters crowing at us.
Dear
Father, use whatever means necessary to keep me faithful and close to you! AMEN
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