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 girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.
He replied, "I am not."
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.
John now takes us to Peter’s first denial of the Lord Jesus. Interestingly, in the accounts given of this scene by the other gospel writers there is included, unlike Johns, the fact that Peter followed at a distance. He was lovingly anxious to see what would happen to his Master yet not brave or bold enough to keep by His side. The other gospel accounts are as follows:
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. Matt 26:57-58 (NIV)
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. Mark 14:53-54 (NIV)
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. Luke 22:54-55 (NIV)
What mixed feelings must have been going on within Peter! Fervently loving the Lord Jesus in his heart making him ashamed to flee yet flesh had him quaking in his sandals afraid to show his true loyalty to the Lord. Hence he chooses the very unprofitable middle ground – just walking the fence between what he knew what was right to do and what fear and cowardice prevented him to do. Not a fun place to be. I am reminded in Scripture of Elijah’s words to the people of Israel on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings:
21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. 1 Kings 18:21 (NIV)
When we discover ourselves seemingly doing a limping dance between two choices - seeking to stay the middle course either for fear of others or for fear of our own skin we are prime to fall. After being so self-confident that he would never deny the Lord, Peter does exactly what he thought he would never do. Isn’t that the way it goes? We place ourselves in positions we should never be in and fear, self-confidence, pride or whatever simply blows on us and, like Humpty Dumpty on the wall, we come spiraling down doing things we never thought possible. In lieu of being self-confident, Peter ought to have been humble; instead of sleeping, he should have been praying; instead of fluttering around the fire with the enemy, he should have placed himself out of temptation’s reach. It would have done him well and it would certainly do us well to pray as Jesus taught us to pray:
13 “ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matt 6:13 (NIV)
Remember also His Word to the disciples - but addressed specifically to Peter - in the Garden of Gethsemane:
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matt 26:40-41 (NIV)
Could we not stand watch with Him for an hour in our time of temptation to prevent our downfalls when Satan’s strikes and lures are at full peak? The flesh is no match for the Adversary. Yet, Scripture tells us God is faithful to provide a door for our escape:
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)
Paul also tells us we are to flee temptation and pursue righteousness. This means we are to know ourselves – what is going to trigger us and cause us to fall. Know where we are most tempted and seek to avoid willingly placing ourselves where we are likely to tumble down. Remember, no one is above falling. It is foolish of us when our grace is weak to flutter with the flames as did Peter.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:11-12 (NIV)