The True Cost of Entry

21 Sep

Read John 18:15-27

Our passage today has a rather unique composition. It starts and ends with Peter denying Jesus. No surprises there since Jesus had predicted it would happen. What is surprising is how John the author interrupts the narrative flow with Jesus being questioned. All of us live in the golden age of television so scene shifts like these are not unfamiliar. What we have to work out is why. At a simple glance, the reason is to contrast Peter who denies everything and Jesus who denies nothing. Yet as I think more about the actual events depicted, I wonder if perhaps John is trying to draw our attention (again) to the major narrative arc of the gospel.

But first, consider the contrast. In these three paragraphs, we see two things. Peter denying Jesus to save himself; Jesus denying himself to save Peter.

Peter denying Jesus to save himself

John 18:15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The main event here is obviously Peter denying being a disciple of Jesus. In the span of a few hours, Peter had gone from bravely declaring he is prepared to die for Jesus (John 13:37) to being cowed by a servant girl so badly that he would deny being a disciple of Jesus. Even the best of us fall short.

Notice however the various details in the narrative, particularly the presence of “another disciple” understood to be the disciple John, his pre-existing relationship with the high priest, and the retracing of steps to the door in order to get Peter into the courtyard. There is an obvious contrast between Peter who was kept out and the other disciple who got in. This culminates with the servant girl’s question in verse 17.

17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

Notice she says “you also” which I take it refers to John. He’s the one who first spoke to the servant girl and was someone “known to the high priest.” Her motives notwithstanding, it seems a perfectly reasonable thing for the servant girl to ask. It is too easy to judge but I do feel for Peter though.

Verse 18 tells us the servants and the officers were right there. The people who just arrested Jesus. It doesn’t take a genius to imagine the situation Peter is in. Suppose you work for a newspaper in Russia and because the paper is critical about the war in Ukraine, the editor is taken away for “questioning.” No one will judge you if you decide to keep your head down. Definitely don’t go hang out outside the police headquarters.

Peter understandably feels himself to be in danger and he denies Jesus to save himself. And the danger is very much real because of verse 26.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Think for a minute about the precariousness of Peter’s position. Peter potentially could be called out not just for being a trespasser (he didn’t belong there), but a criminal (he attacked someone with a sword).

Jesus denies himself to save Peter

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”

In contrast to Peter, Jesus doesn’t deny anything. In fact he challenges the high priest. We saw last week that none of this is legal, from the arrest to this “trial” at night in the courtyard of a private residence. Moreover, consider that in any trial one would question witnesses. They had no right to question Jesus and Jesus reminds them of it. This explains the almost challenging tone of Jesus’ response.

It’s almost like Jesus is saying to them, “come on guys, if you want to condemn me at least do it properly.” Sadly when reason fails, violence often follows.

22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Notice again the emphasis on bear witness (v.23). When we consider that had Jesus simply remained silent, a strategy he employed with Pilate, he would have hamstrung the opposition and could have avoided the abuse. Instead, he denied himself an escape and stood against the religious establishment.

What’s the point?

The most obvious application is simply to see in Peter a reminder for us not to deny Jesus, whether in the face of hostile opposition or simply in choosing to remain silent and not profess our faith. While this is a legitimate reminder under ordinary circumstances, it is difficult to make the case that this is the author’s intention for a few reasons.

First, there is nothing indicating judgment on Peter's denials. Granted even if a narrative does not state explicitly lying is wrong, it doesn’t preclude that conclusion. For example, while the Old Testament does not condemn polygamy, it’s clear in its portrayals of polygamy that it is ill-advised. There is none of that in John 18. As far as I can tell, the author doesn’t seem to be pushing to make a point about not denying Jesus.

Second, the narrative allocates a substantial focus on how Peter came to be questioned by the servant girl in the first place. That he arrived with the other disciple and yet was barred entry at first isn’t merely incidental to the story. That the other disciple had to go out and arrange Peter’s entry clues us in on the picture being painted. Peter finds himself on the outside. What would it take for him to get in? Apparently it isn’t what you know but who you know that gets you in. More to the point, once in you’ll have to continue the lie in order to stay. Hence the title of this talk.