John 18:12-27

Summary
We see in this scripture how Jesus was arrested, bound and taken to the Annas the father in law of Caiaphas the high priest. Peter and another disciple followed him from behind, while in the courtyard, a maid confronted Peter about his relationship with Jesus but he denied. Jesus was interrogated by the high priest but he answered sarcastically and this earned him a slap from an official in defense of the High priest. Jesus was thereafter sent again bound to the Caiaphas the High Priest. While this was going on, Peter was accosted again by two different people who tried to establish again his relationship with Jesus but he denied on both occasions, and right after that, the rooster began to crow.

Life Application
We claim to love Jesus just like Peter did but how many times have we denied him openly because we don’t want to be embarrassed. Have you had an occasion where you should have acknowledged Jesus openly and you fail to because you are trying to be socially correct. Have you had opportunities where you could have witnessed Jesus to people but because of shame and embarrassment you fail to. There are times when you have prayed in the name of Jesus and you get answer but rather than testify of him you ascribe credit to your expertise. These are some little ways that we deny him. Today I want you to become conversant of these ways and make up your mind going forward to stand for and acknowledge Jesus anytime you have the opportunity to. God help us all in Jesus name.

Personal declaration
I will stand for Jesus, I will uphold his banner and be a faithful witness all the days of my life in Jesus name.

Reading – John 18:12-27

¹² Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him ¹³ and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter’s First Denial

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, ¹⁶ but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

¹⁷ “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

¹⁸ It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹ Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

²⁰ “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

²³ “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” ²⁴ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter’s Second and Third Denials

²⁵ Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

²⁶ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off,challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” ²⁷ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.