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15 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, 16 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. 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. ~ John 18:15-18
The scene shifts from the Garden to the threefold trial which John doesn't cover in much detail. In fact, almost immediately the Apostle places the spotlight on Peter’s denial. He highlights the fact that after the Lord Jesus was carried off to Caiaphas, the High Priest, the disciples ran away for their lives, all but Peter and another disciple stayed around.
John tells us in v.15, "Simon Peter and another disciple followed the Lord Jesus." In Mark 14:54 we learn Peter “followed from a distance.” He’s following Jesus, but he doesn’t want anybody to know it. When we will follow the Lord Jesus from a distance, we will deny knowing Him every time.
In John 20:3, we read, “Peter and the other disciple went forth, and were going to the tomb.” This verse gives us the identity of the other disciple. The other disciple is the Apostle John. In his gospel, John never mentions his own name, never. He calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved five times, that other disciple, another disciple, but never John.
So, John is with Simon Peter, and he is known to the high priest and entered with the Lord Jesus into the court of the high priest. He goes right in with the Lord Jesus, and John is known to the high priest.
John’s mother was Salome. Salome was related to Mary. Mary was related to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was married to Zechariah, and Zechariah was a priest. So there was a family connection with John's family, and before he became a disciple of Christ, that connection could have been an important connection.
John's Uncle, Zechariah, was a priest who did his priestly duties in the temple at the altar. Every Passover, they would probably, in going to Jerusalem and into all those events, reconnect with some people they knew in that priestly family. Because he was known to the high priest, he just walked in right with Jesus; but Peter was standing at the door outside.
The Apostle John boldly walks into the presence of Caiaphas with the Lord Jesus while Simon Peter remains outside. While outside, Peter, spoke to the servant girl who asks him, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?" Peter responds with his first lie about his identity. It all started with a lie to a slave girl. You'll remember earlier the Lord Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.
In v.18, we read, “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.” It was the Passover, and during the day it was comfortably warm; but at night, it was quite chilly. It was late into the night, and the trial was unlawful, because Jewish trials were not allowed to be held at night or in secret.
So Peter is standing with the servants in the dark by the fire trying to keep warm. It is from the place of the servant that we see the ways of the Lord best. Peter is suspended between his fear and his love. He doesn’t want to leave because he loves the Lord. He doesn’t want to be exposed because he fears for his own safety. But he hangs around trying to get a grip on what is really happening. All his self-confidence is gone. He’s afraid, but he can’t remove himself. So there he stands there, warming himself in the place of uncertainty.
Trials, may I remind you, are essential in our personal intimacy with God. We would not prescribe them, but the Lord uses them to hone our heart's ability to see and love Him. Trust Him today to be at work amid your unwanted frustrations.
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