John 18:12-18
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 18:12-18 noticing your thoughts and reactions as you read.
Several chapters back in John’s Gospel, we considered how Caiaphas, whose prophecy was given by God, was unable to grasp God’s true plan for humanity (John 11:49-52). Now the prophecy of Caiaphas is being played out in real life. Jesus is about to die for Israel and “…not only for [Israel], but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.”
The pathway to the birth of Jesus’ new community is a pathway of pain and suffering.
Take a moment to contemplate Jesus’ words in John 12:24: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.”
Have you ever experienced this progression from pain and suffering to the birth of something new in your relationship with Jesus? Did you come to know Jesus in a new way after a painful time? Was there some other blessing on the other side of your suffering? Talk to Jesus about this now.
Read John 18:12-18 again focusing on Peter this time.
From this side of the page, we can easily judge Peter’s quick denial of Jesus, but if we think back just prior to this, we can see that Peter was the only one who stepped up to defend Jesus when the Roman soldiers and Temple guards came to arrest him.
It’s obvious to us that Peter hasn’t grasped the nature of the Kingdom of God when he pulls out his sword, but we have the advantage of knowing the end of the story. In the midst of the confusion and chaos of the night, Peter is completely off-kilter.
Think back to Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial (John 13:36-38). How did you imagine Jesus speaking these words to Peter? “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
Imagine Jesus speaking these words with great love and concern for Peter.
It is very likely that all of us will find ourselves off-kilter from time to time and will be amazed at how quickly we can say something that flies in the face of our love and devotion to Jesus. How would the result in our own hearts and minds be different if we allowed these moments of weakness to remind us that Jesus is the author and sustainer of our faith?
For the last minutes of this reflection talk to Jesus about your confusion and weakness. Then sit in his presence and allow him to calm and strengthen you with his peace and power.
If you sense Jesus inviting you to do something in response, be sure to take action before you move on with your day.
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