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, 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.
“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.
He replied, “I am not.”
This passage has long fascinated me because the disciple known to the high priest was probably also known as a disciple of Jesus. Maybe not, but given the interest in Jesus, it seems likely. In spite of this, he is allowed into the courtyard. Then he comes back and tells the servant girl to let Peter in. So Peter is allowed in as well. Then the servant girl asks, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” The “too” is another indication that the first disciple was known as a disciple of Jesus.
Instead of acknowledging the obvious, that he, Peter, was “with” the other disciple, he denies it. Why? Who did he think he was fooling? And who was he trying to impress?
In this account, we are not told how Peter and the other disciple get to the house of Annas. Did they follow Jesus? Did they come later? John does not tell us. Is Peter still carrying the sword he used to cut off Malchus’ ear? If so, that might have seemed awkward.
Without the Holy Spirit in him, and the Lord by his side, Peter falls apart. He is, after all, only a simple fisherman. Three years earlier he had been working in the fishing boats making a living catching and selling fish. He had probably never been near a house like the one Jesus was in. Strange environments and strange people are disorienting. Even the lowest of the low, the servant girl, can seem dangerous and intimidating.
Food for Thought: How does having the Holy Spirit in us make the impressive places of the world seem more ordinary?
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I also find it interesting that having the Holy Spirit in us can make the least impressive places of the world seem extraordinary. Missionaries have noted this for centuries.
Rich,
Interesting take! Of course, that makes total sense. Knowing God introduces us to a completely different value system. The things of this world are unimpressive when compared to the things God values.
I have been in some very humble church buildings, that most would not think of entering, where I have found a sweet and kindred spirit in folks that are not considered anything special to the world. These are special places and people to me.
JEC,
Thank you for the reminder! A friend who traveled the South one summer came back with stories of visiting rural churches too small to have a pastor. He told me some of the best sermons he ever heard were out of the mouths of farmers and tradesmen who spoke extemporaneously of their faith and their love for the Lord.