Peter's Purpose

Mark 14:53-54 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
 
THE attention on Peter in the high priest’s courtyard causes us to miss the fact that John was there, too. The apostle wrote in in his gospel that he had helped Peter enter the area adjacent to Jesus’ first inquisition: John 18:16 The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. Peter and John apparently had become close as they followed Jesus. These “fisherman from Capernaum” were God’s chosen instruments for the greatest cause the world has known. Luke’s account of the early church in Acts 2-8 centers around the work of these two men. And Peter is the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
   But Peter had no such thoughts that early morning in Jerusalem. John opened the way for Peter to get as close as possible to Jesus. Based on his bold commitment, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” (Mark 14:29) and the fact he had cut off Malchus’ ear, Peter seemed ready to fight for his rabbi. Yes, Jesus had commanded him to stop the fighting, to put down his sword. But this was Peter, thinking he needed to protect Jesus. Did he not know the one who calmed the wind and waves could walk away from his enemies anytime he wanted to do so?
   Sitting around the fire, Peter watched and waited. He was a strong fisherman, a country boy. He was a man who did things; he took control of the circumstances. Peter moved confidently and boldly. That was his life. Why wouldn’t he be that way now?
   We can find it to be very difficult to be still and wait on God. We are taught to be purposeful and to direct our lives toward goals. That is good to the point it causes us to forget who has the greatest power. Our sovereign God gives us brains and gifts to be successful. And most importantly he gives us the wisdom to know his purpose is our life’s most important task.
   If Peter had considered the night’s prior events: At the Passover supper Jesus warned Peter he would deny Jesus three times. Jesus then told Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31). There was the grief in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest and Jesus’ command to put down the sword. Perhaps Peter should have been wondering, “What must I do to be faithful to Jesus tonight?” Peter had gone to the courtyard to help Jesus. Peter didn’t know God had put him there, so Satan could sift him.
   Too focused on, “What can I do?” Peter was completely unprepared for what God would do.
 
Psalms 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”