The Lord Jesus told Peter to put his sword into the sheath, for He was going to drink the bitter cup, that is, He was going to the cross to bear God’s judgment against our sins. If the Lord Jesus had not borne our sins, we would have been lost forever.
Grace Abounds
After this they led Him to Caiaphas the high priest. God had ordered that the high priest should offer sacrifices for himself and for the sins of the people, yet Caiaphas condemned the Lord Jesus to death even though He was the sinless One. Caiaphas had previously prophesied that Jesus should die for the people (John 11:5050Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. (John 11:50)), little knowing that the Lord Jesus was the Great High Priest (Heb. 3:1; 4:141Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)
14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14)) who was going to offer Himself as the one perfect Sacrifice for the sins of the people. Even when our sinful hearts are seen at their worst, then God’s love shines out the brightest, for “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom. 5:2020Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20)).
Friends With Whom?
Peter and another disciple, John, followed the Lord Jesus to the high priest’s palace. Peter, though very self confident, found out his own weakness. He should not have been warming himself at the world’s fire. There is a lesson for us here. If we try to be good friends with those who do not love the Lord Jesus, we will soon find ourselves denying Him. Psalm 119:6363I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. (Psalm 119:63) tells us the kind of friends we should have; “I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts.” It was a young damsel (a young girl) to whom Peter denied his Lord (verse 17). Be sure you don’t let any friend keep you from confessing Christ. When you begin any friendship ask the Lord for courage to confess His precious name at the very start.
One denial leads to another as it did with Peter, and who can tell the sad results of one wrong act? Great things often have very small beginnings, and we have to be watchful. Peter didn’t intend to deny his Lord; in fact he said he wouldn’t (Matt. 26:3535Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matthew 26:35)). We are only safe when we keep close to the Lord and walk in obedience to His Word. If anyone reading this is unsaved, will you not confess His name today? As you grow older it will become harder. Many older people do not accept Christ because they are afraid to confess Him before their friends. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
Further Meditation:
1. Did Peter plan on denying the Lord Jesus?
2. Who else in the Bible started telling lies and found it hard to stop?
3. If you are enjoying the study of John’s gospel and want to read even more about it you might consider The Collected Writings of R. Evans by R. Evans (of course). It’s a pretty big book, but it has a section on John’s gospel and could be a real help in your meditations.