John 18:12-27 Jesus’ trial before Annas, Peter’s denial.
There is a contrast between Peter and Jesus here, or between disciples and the Messiah. Both are questioned about who they are and what they have been doing. Jesus essentially answers the charges by telling the chief priest to listen to what is being said about him. Jesus has been in ministry in public, out and about, in front of the people, the chief priests, the Jewish leaders, the Roman authorities, the community that gathers at Passover, and those who come to satisfy their curiosity.
Peter, on the other hand, is around the edges, and trying to hide
his connection with Jesus. Peter is not upfront about who he is, and actually denies who he is. In many ways, this is Peter truly being the rock on which the church is built, as the church has often denied Jesus when pushed on the matter. Peter misses a chance to speak about who he is, and in so doing, to speak about who Jesus is, and why he is a disciple of Jesus. Instead, he denies knowing, following, or even being seen with Jesus.
This is going to be the template for the last few days of Jesus’s life. The people who should know him best do not. The people who have been and will be proud of being his followers vanish and hide. We will see a contrast between how Jesus does things and how we do things. Ultimately, we will ask over and over, how are we denying Christ?
