Hello, I am James and welcome to Monday’s foundations podcast. I’m married to Lucy and we have a little boy called Joshua. We often find ourselves listening to this podcast doing the nursery run. Wherever you are listening in today – the pick up or drop off – at your desk – even at home, I hope this reflection builds faith in us today.
REFLECTION:
Today we are looking at Luke 22:54-65; there is no focus verse for today, I am just going to read the 9 verses of the story when Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, denies knowing Jesus. It is short so I will make sure to read it again a second time at the end of this podcast.
Before we begin I would love us to think about the friends we keep – think about mutual friends for a moment – even in terms of that little useful box that appears when we find someone new on our favourite social media platform. Associations and connections tell us something of a person – perhaps not the whole picture but certainly a (slightly) broader picture of what a person is like before we have really got to know them. Mutual friends can open doors or close doors – depending on context.
You might have even heard this before, there is some popular-psychology that termed the phrase “you are the sum of the 5 closest people you keep”. Their company can shape who become… what you value etc. This idea of identity by association is a live issue in today’s Bible verses as Peter makes a clear effort to disown Jesus. I’m going to read them out for us to think about now….
Peter Disowns Jesus
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant-girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’
But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said.
A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’
‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied.
About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’
Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.
So there you go. Three times he says no.
So why did he deny being associated to with such a man?
Peter quickly found he wasn’t nearly as bold and courageous as he had let on previously, and in fear he kept his distance. Peter was scared that his fate would go the same as Jesus’. And in fact, in the end it does… But how does he get from here to there… and why does the story reinforce the failure of Peter three times?
Part of the reason, is that history tells us that Peter become one of the pillars of the early church in Jerusalem, equipping disciples all over the region. Even today, many people are blessed by his writings in the books of 1 & 2 Peter in the New Testament. This guy went through a radical transformation from the man we encounter in the story today, to what we know through church tradition…
… There is a story in John 21 where the resurrected Jesus reinstates Peter. Jesus had appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee and they had breakfast together. Jesus singles Peter out and asks “do you love me?” not just once but three times, in a symbolic attempt to restore each previous rejection. After each of Peter’s replies of “Yes, I love you…” Jesus reminds Peter to take care of his sheep, feed his lambs… in other words to strengthen the disciples. Jesus was impressing upon Peter the importance of his role in the church, his part in the future enterprise of transforming the whole of society and the world.
You see, Peter was in no way fit to be qualified for the role Jesus had in mind for Peter. In many ways none of us are. We make decisions based on fear from time to time. We get things wrong. But for every mistake we make, every decision that we make that denies Jesus is Lord of our life, Jesus can undo all of them. He forgives us & just like Peter he still calls us to join in the family & play our part.
Peter’s identity and purpose is given to him in this conversation with Jesus. If we are truly disciples then our identity and purpose is far more connected to Jesus than we dare to dream. We are more than just the sum of our top 5 closest friends. We are apprentices of the one who lays down his life for others. He asks of us to love God and to take care of others. It is that simple.
Practically speaking… Perhaps there are many of us listening will feel encouraged that if God can use Peter to build the church then he can certainly use me. Be reminded that our vision this year is Join Us and Grow… and if we feel we are following at a distance today – let us take inspiration from the story of Peter and know God has a part for us to play.
PRAYER:
God thank you for Peter. It is encouraging that even a hero of the faith like him needed Jesus’ forgiveness. In fact that was the most transforming thing he knew in his life. Would we be encouraged by your spirit and strengthened for the day ahead. Amen.
READING: Luke 22:54-65
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant-girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’
But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said.
A little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’
‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied.
About an hour later another asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’
Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.
The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’ And they said many other insulting things to him.