The Cold Courtyard – ‘before the cock crows’
After Jesus was arrested and tied up, he was taken to the High Priest for questioning. Peter and another disciple went into the courtyard to hear the outcome. Read or listen to the story:
John 18: 15-18, 25-27 (NSRV)
15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17 The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officials had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves.
25 Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
Peter denied his friendship with Jesus. Not once, but three times. Perhaps it was out of self-protection, weakness or fear. A cock crows at the final betrayal of the night and tears of despair comes at the realization of a promise broken because of fear…
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as Peter betrayed you,
you experienced the double agony
of love rejected and friendship denied: be with those who are friendless and rejected by society.
Pause to reflect
You understood the fear within Peter: help us, who fear the future.