Matthew 26:57-58
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.
I find the last line of this transitional vignette fascinating. Jesus has been arrested. And now those who have arrested him are bringing him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. This, apparently, is where the leadership of the religious authorities had already planned to gather. Which means, from all indications, that much of this evening has been scripted ahead of time and so far things are going according to plan.
That’s not unusual. Indeed, it reflects the normal working out of a well-conceived plot and plan of action. No, what I find interesting is Peter.
He fled, like the rest of the disciples, when Jesus was arrested. He fled, despite all his protests. He fled, despite his long friendship and period of discipleship with Jesus. He fled. Period.
Except now he is again following. But at a distance. Matthew doesn’t add this modifier, but we might: he followed at a safe distance. Now he has come to the courtyard of the high priest’s house, just outside of where all the action is. And, then, in a moment of bravado strangely lacking earlier this evening, he walks into the house with the guards. You know, like he belongs there, cool, calm, and collected, and as nonchalant as entirely possible.
Why this sudden tolerance for risk? This is the part that fascinates me. Because Matthew tells us quite simply that it’s Peter’s curiosity. He follows at a distance and then enters the high priest’s home with the guards “in order to see how this would end.”
Peter, it would seem, is caught by his own curiosity, even fascination, of how things will turn out. Perhaps he now believes that all Jesus spoke about actually will come to pass, although he seems as yet unsure of what might come next. Or perhaps he is still hoping that Jesus might survive this ordeal, finding some escape from the fate they feared and Jesus’ predicted, although I suspect by now he knows there is little chance of that. Or perhaps he simply cannot let go of this man and, though fearful, is driven by his need to follow his story to the end.
Whatever the reason, Peter will soon find out that while you can follow Jesus at a distance, you can’t be a follower of Jesus at a distance. Because being Jesus’ follower means that you’re all in. And when he finally realizes that – perhaps only as he sees the salvation God had prepared worked out in a way no one expected – then absolutely everything will change for him and, indeed, all the world.
Prayer: Dear God, keep our eyes fastened on your Son that we may come to know again and believe afresh that you came and still come to love us and to change us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thanks for the reflection! I always appreciate your insights! Like you, I’ve always found this story in Matthew fascinating. Peter certainly follows at a safe distance but just far enough away to still betray Jesus! I wonder about such risk we might be taking if/when we opt to follow Jesus at a safe distance!