“…to sift you like wheat.”
Luke 22:31
The Adventures of Peter - Last Days
begins with “Steps of Redemption - 1” posted on this blog.
I could see John in the distance, walking slowly now, his head down.
When they fled from the garden, they scattered in the olive grove, thinking that fewer would be caught when they became more dispersed in the thicket of trees.1 Each chose to head towards their home, rather than the room they had left, to warn their families and lessen the danger of a collective roundup of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus warned them of impending persecution and told them to make travel preparations.2 Each of them individually and collectively would have rather stood by their King and fought to the death,3 yet they knew that Jesus had made it possible for them to leave Him unharmed4 to carry out a mission yet unknown to them.5 They had all fled, yet no one pursued them.6
Peter increased his pace to catch up with John, the disciple to whom Jesus felt the closest bond. Possibly, John could shed some light on the events that were put into motion so abruptly. What would become of Jesus? Peter wondered. The Twelve had feared Jesus’ death for some time and spoke of this to him when he insisted on traveling to Bethany to respond to Mary and Martha’s request to come and heal Lazarus.7 At the time, Thomas spoke for all of them, saying, “Let’s go too—and die with Jesus.” 8
How can we just sit back and watch this happen? John seems to know Jesus’s heart more than any of us. John looked back as he heard Peter approaching and turned to welcome his Brother.
“Peter, you were only doing what you felt was best to protect Jesus, yet it is not God’s plan for us to intervene,” John offered in consolation. His remark only added to Peter’s confusion of the events from which they had fled. He felt dazed, light-headed from running, and perplexed at John’s sense of self-control. John put his arm around Peter’s shoulders, John taller, Peter broader, as they continued to walk through the Kidron Valley toward the south gate of the city.9
“They will likely take Jesus to Caiaphas’ House. Let’s wait for them inside the gate of the Upper City. There’s nothing we can do but watch what Jesus has foretold us. I don’t understand his predictions, Peter, so don’t lose heart for our purpose that has yet to be told,” John offered this advice, seeing Peter was still in shock over the night’s activity.
They saw the torches in the street of the Lower City from their vantage point on the wall. Peter had been silent the entire wait, gazing absently, straight ahead. John was concerned and intended to keep track of him until he was safely home. For now, John watched the procession, four squads of four guards each, in front, to the sides, and behind Jesus, totally encompassing Him. One would have thought they were guarding a dangerous man rather than one who healed the lame, gave sight to blind eyes, and raised the dead to life. The crowd quickly grew that followed the march to the High Priest as word spread of Jesus’ arrest. As the guards entered the gate of the Upper City, John led Peter to the crowd. Looking for a break to get closer, they followed Jesus to the courtyard gate of Caiaphas’ House.10
A woman watching the courtyard gate recognized John from previous visits he’d made to the High Priest, Caiaphas, and let him pass through,11 thinking he was with the officers of the chief priests. Peter, lagging behind, saw the door close behind John.
While Peter waited outside the gate,12 looked out among the crowd, forming, feeling out of place, useless, humiliated, and conspicuous. Anyone who looked at him seemed to say to his thoughts, What are you doing here, you lame excuse for a man? Some seemed to recognize him, pointing and talking amongst themselves. His mind began filling with his perception of their whispers. He’s a Galilean … follower of Jesus … slashed an ear off ... ran away … where is his King now? … Bound like a criminal!
Lost in the torment of his mind, Peter jumped when a hand touched him. He wheeled around, ready to defend himself, but found John’s welcoming face as he took his shoulder and guided him through the courtyard gate.13 As Peter crossed the threshold, his eyes caught the stare of the woman watching at the gate. “Aren’t you one of Jesus’ disciples?” 14, the woman asked. Before he could even think of the meaning of her question, he had already replied, “No, I am not.” 15
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“The Adventures of Peter-The Last Days”
This story is Step 2 of a 7-part series.
Previously posted:
Steps of Redemption - 1: Stumbled
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Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.
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Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry
2016 by Jeff Cambridge
2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media
References
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Verses marked NKJV are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
1. Matthew 26:56
2. Matthew 10:16-42
3. Matthew 26:35
4. John 17:12, 18:8-9
5. Matthew 28:19,20; Luke 24:44-45
6. Matthew 26:56
7. John 11:8-14
8. John 11:16
9. Map pp.1741 NKJV
10. John 18:15
11. John 18:15
12. John 18:16
13. John 18:17
14. John 18:17
15. John 18:17
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