Jump Start # 3969
Luke 22:54 “Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance.”
In our study of the gospels, we often teach and preach about the temptations of Jesus. Another great lesson for us to consider is the temptation of others. Our verse leads into the temptation of Peter. Earlier in the chapter, Satan sought permission to sift Peter like wheat. That very thought is fascinating. It shows that Satan is subject to Christ. Satan cannot do whatever he wants. Without permission from the Lord, Peter would not have been touched.
There are a series of crucial steps that led to Peter’s troubles. He would be sifted. He would deny the Lord. He would deny the Lord even after Jesus told him in advance what was going to happen.
Peter followed at a distance (Lk 22:54). That is the first mistake many make. The follow, but at a distance. They convince themselves that at least they are following. Most don’t. However, being too far from Jesus to do any good, they keep the Lord barely in sight. That’s enough to calm a guilty conscience. But between you and Jesus, many things pop up. And, it’s those things that grab our attention. You need to follow Jesus. You need to follow Jesus so closely that you could reach out and touch Him. I’ve been in massive crowds as everyone is trying to exit at the same time. Ball games, concerts and things like that, and you are trying to stay with your group, but it’s hard. People cut in front of you. Some are going the wrong direction. And, just like that, you are separated from your group. Peter followed at a distance. Mistake number one.
Peter sat among the enemy (Lk 22:55). Peter was sitting among “them,” the text tells us. Peter wasn’t one of “them,” but his presence there would make some question that. This temptation for Peter wasn’t moral. It didn’t involve greed. No alcohol was present. He was simply being accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples. He was among the crowd but he wasn’t one of the crowd. He didn’t fit in, belong there, nor have any business there.
The trouble we get ourselves in happens when we are where we don’t belong. The language, the clothing, the attitudes, the behavior are all things that would make the righteous blush. What are we doing there? Noting good will come from that. Sitting among the enemy. Mistake number two.
Peter was alone. The servant girl looked intently at him. She recognized that he was different (Lk 22:56). When others are bowing to the idols of the day, you will be looked at because you remain standing. You will be looked at when you don’t laugh along with everyone else when inappropriate things are said. Peter didn’t have anyone with him to encourage him. He had no one to help him. Alone spiritually is a dangerous place to be. The lion rarely jumps into a herd of antelope. He waits. He waits and waits until one isn’t paying attention and the herd shifts. Alone, the antelope is vulnerable. Alone he is not very courageous. There is strength in numbers. There is power in a fellowship. Peter was alone. Mistake number three.
Peter stayed there. “A little later,” verse 58 begins. Then, “after about an hour had passed by” verse 59 begins. Peter is still there. Still with the enemy. Still being accused. Still alone. The longer he stays the worse things become. And, it’s the same for us. Leave that office party that isn’t going well. Leave that movie that is attacking your faith. Leave the conversation that is becoming hostile. But, we don’t. We stay. Another hour. Then another hour. How long will we allow our faith to take hits from the enemy? Peter stayed. Mistake number four.
This dark chapter ends with Peter crying. He knew. He had failed the Lord. He had failed himself. But, this wasn’t the end. Out of the depth of mistakes, Peter climbs back with a powerful faith, a lesson learned and a heart that understands and can help others. The Lord didn’t give up on Peter. Our God is a God of second chances.
Temptations often come in a series of steps. Choices are made along the way. May we learn. May we do better.
Roger