Read John 18:17-18. Circle the word(s) that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she 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.
Reflections on the Word.
Waiting. Expecting the door to open. It’s nerve wracking when one is waiting for a job interview or news from the doctor. Our minds race from here to there and everywhere. We wonder what they might say and review the possible questions they might ask and what we are to say and what not to say. Waiting in those moments are filled with tension and anxiety.
The question by the servant girl on duty startled Peter. He wasn’t expecting such a pointed question. She said to him, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” The Greek text literally says this, “Not and/too you out of the disciples art of man of this?” The way she phrased the question to Peter implied an expected answer of a denial in being associated with Jesus. Unwittingly or not, that is exactly what Peter did.
The word, “kai” could be interpreted as “and” “even,” or “too”, which suggests that the servant girl knew of another person who was a disciple of Jesus. Could it be that this girl knew that John was a follower of Jesus? Did she see or overhear Peter and John speaking with each other that prompted her to think that he was one of the followers of Jesus?
This question made Peter extremely uncomfortable. Most likely, Peter was standing around people who were not supporters or sympathizers of Jesus, but people who were hostile to Him. Perhaps those who were around Peter were from the arresting party and spoke to the household servants of the night’s event. He may even have overheard them talking about this one disciple who cut off the ear of one of the servants. I could just imagine Peter’s head ducking for cover.
Have you ever had a question that made you feel uncomfortable before others? In those awkward moments, we tend to deflect attention from ourselves. We want to run and hide, not linger in this conversation. That’s exactly what Peter did. He gave a quick answer for self-preservation. It was a simple denial to a lowly servant girl. It seemed innocuous and innocent. No big deal. Right?
Perhaps we use that same logic when we find ourselves ashamed to confess that we are followers of Christ when we are with friends or coworkers who slander our Lord and Savior and His values? It’s easier to remain silent or deny Christ, than to testify to the truth.
Let’s learn from Peter and be ready to testify that we are followers of Christ.
-Kingston