“I Am Not”

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, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

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 18:15-18

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

John 18:25-27

The disciple Peter knew about fear. When Jesus was arrested. Peter displayed courage by following the Lord into the courtyard of the high priest. But then he began to show his fear by lying to protect his identity. He spoke disgraceful words that denied his Lord. But Jesus never stopped loving Peter and ultimately restored him.

After doing or saying something we knew not to be true, we have felt the chilly draft of guilt and shame. We needed to be “covered.”

To followers of Jesus, love is a blanket to be graciously and courageously given away for the comfort and reclamation of others. As recipients of such great love, let us be givers of the same.

God loves you and me – let’s love each other.

Our Daily Bread – February 7, 2018