From Willing to Die to Willing to Lie

Scripture: Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. John 18:10
The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” John 18:17

Observation: In the garden, Peter is ready to kill to protect Jesus’ life. Later, in the courtyard, Peter is ready to lie to protect his life. In the garden, Peter faces a crowd of armed soldiers. In the courtyard, Peter faces the questions of a servant girl. What happened between the garden and the courtyard? Was it seeing Jesus hauled off? Peter had seen opposition to Jesus before, but Jesus had always deflected it with his wise questions. Yet from Peter’s perspective, was this the failure of Jesus? Was this like the shock of seeing your dad, whom you always saw as indestructible, suddenly diagnosed with cancer? Was Peter’s faith shattered? Peter was not afraid to die—we see that in the garden. But was he willing to die for a failed mission? Psalm 9:10 says, “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Maybe after seeing Jesus arrested, Peter doubted the name of the one he had been following all along.

Application: I feel like Peter sometimes. I am facing some things where I used to feel like Peter in the garden, willing to pull out my sword. Ready to die. But I keep seeing defeat in this area and I wonder if things are going to change. From my perspective, it seems that Jesus is failing. My temptation is to be Peter in the courtyard, to circle the wagons and think about preserving my own life. I don’t want to be there, but it is a struggle. I am struggling to see Your name at work.

Prayer: God, I need an infusion of faith. I need to hear your words directing me like you did in the garden—even if the words are to put away my sword. Please help me to keep coming to you. I am tempted to run to the courtyard, but help me keep seeking you. You have not forsaken those who seek you—so I will seek you. Show me your ways, I want to be more like you.