15 Simon 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, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17 "You aren't one of this man's disciples too, are you?" she asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." Peter loved Jesus but in the sudden threat he lied to stay out of trouble. This makes me feel a little better about my lapses in loyalty to my Lord. Like when I depend on a pizza to fill me up instead of Him.
18 It 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.
19 Meanwhile, 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. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22
When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. Imagine the restraint it took Jesus not to just vaporize the dude. Then again, His ways are not our ways. Maybe for Jesus it was like when we have a one year old slap us. They're doing wrong but they hardly understand that it's wrong. We correct the infant but we never stop loving them even when they're bad.
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?" 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, "You aren't one of his disciples too, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One 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 garden?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Peter was risking his life just being there. He didn't understand what Jesus was doing. He had seen Him do miracles. Was Jesus really helpless in the hands of these religious leaders? Would it have served God's purpose for Peter to have been captured and hung on a cross with Jesus or imprisoned? Peter's denial three times, that Jesus had predicted, both reminded Peter of the divinity of Jesus and broke Peter's heart at his confusion and lack of understanding. How often are we confused and instead of turning to Jesus we try to figure it all out ourselves. We surely deny Him, probably daily in my case. Yet He Loves us, and though our actions are misguided, it's our hearts that count to Him. Just keep loving Him. Especially when nothing seems to make sense. He knows you. He loves you.
