QT Sharing (5 Apr)

Scripture Reading: JOHN 18:15-27

Peter's First Denial

15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17"You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not."
18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus 19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.[a]

Peter's Second and Third Denials

25As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not."
26One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

This is a famour passage. Peter was playing baseball. He strike Jesus out 3 times. Many people would have suggested that Peter was nothing but a coward. True! Peter did deny Jesus 3 times but to just criticise and point finger at him, I somehow feel it is not fair. Where are the rest of the disciples? Hiding? Running away? The bible never specifically mentioned that but we could more or less guess. Only Peter and John were around when Jesus took this path of suffering. It must had took a lot courage for the 2 disciples to even dare to appear near Jesus.
If we could recall a bit earlier just before Jesus was arrested, Peter was the first to retaliate to protect Jesus. Then why is there a sudden change in his 'heroic' behaviour. At that point of arrest, Peter might have just let his emotions get a better of him and he simply just dashed to the 'rescue' of Jesus. But after the arrest, reality set in and Peter started to realise the significance of the arrest. I am sure that Peter was filled with mixed feelings. On one hand he must be feeling anxious about the safety of Jesus and on the other hand he was also worried for himself. He was lost as in what to do. And in the questioning of him, his fear overtook him and he chose to deny Christ. It really reminded me of Church camp, retreat, seminar, all these activities that drives Christians to be convicted, to be on fire, to be zealous for the Lord. These activities are good because they help us to re-focus and re-commit ourselves to the Lord. However, many a times, after the activity, reality returns and many fall back to their previous way of life. We stop living a life for Christ. It is as good as Peter denying Jesus. We really need to relook into our way of living. Are we really living for Christ? No numbers of retreats, seminar, camp will make us more like Christ. It is ourself. We have to embrace Christ. We have to live a life for Christ. Everyday!
Do not feel dishearten if your life is not as 'holy' as it should be. None of us can ever be holy enough for God! But as we understand that holiness means setting ourself apart for God, then we can start now, yes, I mean, right now, and ask the Lord to change us. Peter's 3rd denial was visited by a crow from the rooster. Prophesy comes true. I believe the crow was not so much to condemn Peter for his denial but rather it's a wake up call. It must had really woken him up. Though he was still very much facing the reality, he realised that he was not just dealing with reality, he was dealing with the Creator of reality. There are many rooster's crows in our lives. These are warning calls for us. We are heading towards a clift. It is time to turn back. Are we paying enough attention to such crows???
My last lesson from this passage is that know the truth does not equates to no suffering. When Jesus was interogated, He speaks nothing but the truth but his treatment was far from being justice. Even though Jesus was ill-treated, He stood by the truth. His body may suffered but His heart was at peace with God. Truth = Peace

Lord! May our daily life be a life live for You. In our moment of weaknesses, please forgive us and draw us back to You. And may we continue stand by Your truth so that nobody can find any valid fault against us. Thank You Jesus for dying for us!