ヨハネによる福音書18:15-27 John 18:15-27

Jesus was arrested by the Jewish leaders and taken to the high priest’s house. He was then put on trial for saying things contrary to God’s teachings and blaspheming the name of God. But of course, Jesus had no such sin.

The high priest asked Jesus what the disciples had done and what Jesus had taught to them. Jesus replied, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” How majestic Jesus is!

Then one of the high priest’s officers heard this and struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” What a terrible thing to do! But still Jesus calmly said, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” How admirable Jesus is!

Peter, a disciple of Jesus, entered the courtyard of the high priest’s house to watch Jesus’ trial. The servant girl who kept watch at the door asked him, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” Then, Peter replied, “I am not.” Huh? That’s somewhat strange. He was asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, so naturally he should have said “Yes, I am.” But he said, “I am not.” What on earth happened to Peter?

After the Last Supper, Peter said to Jesus, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you (Mark 14:31).” And when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter drew his sword and resisted, cutting off the ears of the high priest’s servant. At that time, he probably still intended to die with Jesus. But gradually, he became afraid that he would be arrested, tried and killed. In the courtyard of the high priest’s house, people were sitting around a fire. Then another person asked him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” Then Peter said again, “I am not.” Furthermore, a relative of the servant whose ear was cut off by Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane questioned him, saying, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Someone had witnessed what Peter did and remembered it. But Peter denied it, too. How cowardly!

What do you think you would have said if you had been Peter? Would you have said, “I am a disciple of Jesus”? I am sure that I would have said “I am not” just like Peter. Therefore, I cannot blame Peter. We human beings are so weak that even if we want to live and die with Jesus, when the time of trial comes, we say “I am not his disciple.” And Jesus knew that. Jesus had warned Peter beforehand, “This very night, you will deny me three times.” But this was not the end of the story. After meeting Jesus, who died on the cross and rose again, Peter was forgiven for his sins and was transformed into a true disciple who proclaimed Jesus.