Matthew 26:57-75

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered.  But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.  Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”  The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?”  But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”  Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,

From now on you will see the Son of Man
    seated at the right hand of Power
    and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.  What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.”  Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah!  Who is it that struck you?”

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”  But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”  When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”  After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.”  Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed.  Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

The religious leaders KNEW the scriptures.  They KNEW the prophesies about the coming Messiah.  And if they knew all that, why didn’t they choose the Truth?  I wonder what it would have been like if they had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and then believed?  I wonder what kind of spiritual revolution would have taken place if they had believed Jesus was the Messiah and then proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah and led others to believe as well?  I wonder  what the world would be like today had that taken place?  Could redemption have taken place without the death and resurrection of Jesus?  Would we understand that being willing to die for us means just as much as Jesus actually giving his life?

Maybe you wonder about this as well?

The  religious leaders were worried about losing power.  They had grown to like having power— a dangerous thing.  A huge portion of the world’s problems could be solved if those in power were willing to give up some of their power; if they were willing to share power; or even give it completely to someone else.  We see that issue in politics and governments, industry, churches, and more.  Big box discount store success has been based on saving us money.  But what about the global workers who are underpaid in order to provide those goods?  Are we willing to budget more for items and clothing so others can be paid a living wage as a opposed to a “barely making it” wage?  In the church are we willing to step outside of our preferences and comfort zones in order to be welcoming to outsiders?

I wonder in what ways am I closed off to the truth about holding power?  In what ways do I hold power at the expense of others?  What do I need to change in order to follow Christ, so that others will know the love of the Messiah?

And then there’s Peter.  Peter who KNOWS Jesus is the Messiah.  Peter who walked on the water with Jesus and was even warned by Jesus that he would deny him and still didn’t catch himself and change his course.   Before I am too quick to say, “If I was Peter, there is no way I would have denied Jesus” or even “I’d like to think I’d be better than Peter”; let me say, I am sure I would have let fear grip me as well and would have done the same thing.  It is easy to be afraid of those with power.  It is hard to be bold and to say truth that is not popular.  It is hard to spend more for the goods my family uses.  It is hard to embrace something new and different at church in order to make room for new people, new ways, new ideas.  But, aren’t we called to speak against hatred, injustice, and the suffering of others?  Aren’t we called to love and serve others even if serving looks different from our same old ways?

I struggle with all of this: power, sharing, giving, serving, loving; striving to NOT be a stumbling block to others and their faith.  Maybe some of this resonates with you as well.  There is good news: Peter’s faith, redemption, and restoration led him to become the foundation of the Church.  He was used mightily by Christ.  And so can we.  Praise God!

We leave this passage with Jesus in bondage and in a cell: a small room—a very small room underground.  The photographs below are believed to be the place he stayed that night.  The opening is so small, he had to be lowered into this small room.  May we remember his discomfort that night as we slip into our comfortable beds tonight.