John Study 26: 18:1-27

Dear Student of the Word,

I trust that you are well and in the Word on a regular basis.  I hope that these studies are contributing toward that end in your life. This week we move into John 18 where Jesus is arrested and the events leading to His death unfolded quickly and in secret.  This week I wrote on day seven of this seven-day study:

v. 25 – I am told that the question was posed to Peter in such a way that a ‘no’ answer was expected.  Peter, who was ready to face the Roman army on behalf of his Lord, lost his nerve when he had to face the upper echelon of his own people, the Jews. This was not the last time he would lose nerve in the face of Jewish peer pressure, for many years later, Paul had to confront him about some hypocritical behavior:

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray (Galatians 2:11-13).

v. 26 – Malchus’ relative also recognized Peter as having been in the Garden with Jesus.  This all happened just as Jesus predicted:

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:37-39).

Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself, which is no great revelation.  The interesting thing is that we don’t always believe that someone, including God, can know us that well.  I recently had a man come to me who is my age and has had all kinds of job problems.  When I gave him the advice I had and told him what I saw him doing, he politely but categorically rejected what I said.  Now, that is his prerogative and I cannot hear the Spirit for him or direct his life.  Yet he was so confident that he could correct what he had messed up that he quickly and arrogantly brushed aside what I was saying. 

I can’t judge Peter too harshly because I have done the same thing!  I have a master’s degree in economics, but it took me many decades to acknowledge that I am not such a good money manager.  I would mess up and then redouble my efforts to get a handle on things.  I never listened to anyone else; I knew better. Where do you know better than anyone else, thus missing what the Lord may be trying to tell you through them?

Peter knew better.  He was brash and brave but now he was face-to-face with himself and all his weakness.  It was a painful experience as Peter had to look at the reality that he had been denying.  That denial led him to another – the denial that he even knew Jesus, His Lord and Master.

v. 29 – At that moment, the rooster crowed, just as Jesus had predicted and Peter had denied the Lord three times.  I wonder if Peter ever heard a rooster crow again and failed to think of that moment in his life.  When God brings you face-to-face with the ugly side of you, it isn’t meant to be pleasant.  Yet it doesn’t have to be fatal, either.  You can face your own dark side and come out stronger, just like Peter did. 

Later in this gospel, we will see how Jesus made Peter face and relive this incident, not to rub Peter’s nose in the mess, but to help him come to grips with the call and purpose of God on Peter’s life. That purpose could not be accomplished in the same attitude and blind confidence that Peter had expressed in John 13.  It had to be done in the spirit of humility and sense of his need for God’s help in his life.  Are there any lessons in this story for you?  What aren’t you facing that you need to face?  What failure are you trying to cover up or get away from that God wants you to face so you can learn and grow? 

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, Colossians, First Timothy, and Matthew's and Mark's gospels on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus my website archives contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished volumes of The Faith Files.

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KENYA VIDEOS:  I invite you to watch two short videos that I shot at the orphanage I visited in Kenya a few weeks ago. The children sang me a song and the founder said a brief word of thanks.  Once you watch them, read the post below and do what your heart moves you to do to help these children and others like them.

THE SOPHIA FUND & THE DEBORAH FOUNDATION:  I announced last week a new initiative in time for Christmas that will allow you to help me open learning centers all over Kenya.  We will start small, but will deliberately work to help the orphans in Kenya learn how to love books and learning.  You can play an important part in making this happen.  To read all about it, go to my blog to see my latest post or go to my Facebook page.  I need books and educational toys and I need you to help me get them. I will figure out a way to get them to Kenya.  You just figure out a way to get them to me. 

I also need help to continue feeding the orphans and widows there from The Sophia Fund.  When you do your Christmas shopping and giving this year, please remember The Sophia Fund and The Deborah Foundation.  I know you will be blessed when you do.