Lessons From Peter’s Life

Read

John 18:1–18 ESV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

Opening Prayer

Setting the Stage

Last week we looked at Christ’s willing surrender.

In this arrest scene, we see:

The betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.

The power of Christ.

The fact that no one takes Christ’s life.

He lays it down of His own willing power.

Other gospels describe the prayers of Christ.

Luke describes that the agony Christ was under as He approached the wrath of God upon the cross caused Christ to sweat drops of blood.

We see this great picture of the disciples not understanding the great importance of what is about to occur…

As they keep falling asleep, rather than praying as Christ directed them.

The High Priestly Family

Being the High Priest was a lifelong appointment.

However, the Romans, like many others countries when ruling over another nation, changed that and put in place a changing of who was HP whenever they felt like it.

The Romans also were the ones to pick who would be the High Priest.

The Romans did not want to allow a Jew to gain to much power and influence, so they put this system in place.

However, Annas, was a more long term HP…

Ruling for 9-10 years.

Caiaphas, son-in-law of Annas, for 8.

Annas, was a highly influential person as he managed to have five sons and his son-in-law all serve as HP.

So, the scene we see this morning is Annas most likely as powerful and influential and rich as he was…

Annas was most likely the one pulling the strings behind the scenes when his sons or sons-in-law was ruling as HP.

The scene in which Jesus is brought to Annas first was most likely the behind the scenes investigation and approval of Annas to allow it to move forward to the “legal” route…

Which would have been Caiaphas.

The fact that this is taking place at night shows the illegitimacy of this trial.

And, it shows the desperation in which the RL’s felt about getting rid of Jesus, no matter the cost.

Another character we see in our passage is “another disciple.”

Most scholars believe this is John, our gospel writer.

Some have doubted this becasue John’s father was a fisherman and John worked for his father.

However, a few things to note:

In this time there was not such a class breakdown that would not allow an HP and Fisherman to be friends.

As a matter of fact, all priests were supposed to learn a trade.

Also, John’s father Zebedee, was most likely fairly well off.

As, he had hired workers on his fishing crews.

This would mean that Zebedee was of some sort of wealth.

When we read…

Since that disciple was known to the HP

This is speaking of much more than you would know your plumber.

This is speaking of someone that was known as intimately, like one would know a relative.

Maybe John’s family were related.

Maybe John’s family supplied the HP family with the best fish of their expeditions.

Maybe both.

But, John was given unquestioned access to the HP’s house, while Peter had to gain access through John.

So, there is no reason to think this “another disciple” is not John.

Especially since the only person John doesn’t like to name is himself.

Another character in our scene is Malchus.

John tells us his name and that Peter cut his ear off.

Luke tells us Jesus stops the fighting and heals his ear.

Malchus being a right hand man of the HP, would have most likely accompanied the HP while being in the temple and doing temple services.

A cut off ear would have caused a deformation that would have likely cost Malchus his job.

Isn’t interesting that Jesus displays mercy to the very head of the line to arrest Him.

It’s like Jesus is restoring Malchus to serve the Lord.

Malchus, however, must determine whether he uses his gifts for the glory of God or the glory of self.

So, that is our scene, and the characters…now…

Our Passage

There is something that we see Peter do, that all of us are guilty of…

And, particularly as Christians, we are guilty of this, repeatedly.

What we see in Peter, we should be able to see in ourselves…

We may not be aware of doing such.

We may not be aware of how often we do such.

But we should learn from mistakes.

And, even better to learn from other’s mistakes.

And, what can we learn from Peter in this passage…

A Vain Attempt to Prove Oneself to the Lord

Look with me at…

John 18:10–11 ESV

10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

We cannot forget that this is not long after Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny Christ three times.

Peter did not like that pronouncement.

Peter did not think he could do such a thing.

Peter was on a mission to prove himself worthy.

He wanted to impress Christ.

Remember in…

Matthew 26:34–35 ESV

34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

So, the first chance he got, he made all effort to not deny.

We could even say Peter was dead set on proving Christ wrong.

And, in Peter’s wielding a sword and injuring an enemy…

He was probably pretty proud of himself.

He was probably thinking he was winning in the Christian life.

He was probably thinking that he has things under control.

But, this confidence in self, was actually leading him to his fall.

Learn From Peter

You are seeking to prove…when the gospel calls us to rest.

Listen, you’re going to fail as a Christian.

If not, there is a great danger lurking around the corner, as we see in the life of Peter.

He will eventually deny Christ three times, as we will see in a future sermon.

The Danger of Proving

When we seek to prove ourselves to God, we forget a few things:

We’re incapable of proving/impressing God.

One would need to be inherently righteous in and of themself.

And, this would be mere duty rather than a means to impress God.

We are incapable of being righteous in and of ourself.

When we do so, we are working against the Gospel.

We not only forget a few things, but we falsely believe a few things:

We’re capable of proving ourselves to God.

We’re secure in our own strength.

We’re partially secure in our own strength.

The caution that the Bible gives us against this is to:

Take heed lest you fall.

To not lean on your own understanding.

Here is another biblical, gospel lesson from Peter’s life that we must learn and re-learn every day…

Your Security Is the Work of Christ

John 18:11 ESV

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Jesus telling Peter to put his sword back in his sheath…

Is symbolic for the spiritual rest we have in Christ.

Peter you think that your efforts secure you…

You’re wrong.

Stop working and rest in Me.

What secures you is not a sword…

Rather, the fact that I am about to drink the cup of God’s wrath that you deserve…

That is what secures you, forevermore.

Your person, Peter, is not the difference maker.

Your efforts, Peter, is not the difference maker.

All your efforts, all your works, all your efforts to prove fall infinitely short of the glory of God.

Which brings us to the final point this morning…

What’s the Difference Between Judas and Peter?

Judas betrayed Jesus by selling Him out.

Giving His location.

Making it easy for the RL’s to arrest Him.

Peter betrayed Jesus by denying Christ three times.

Peter betrayed Jesus by denying he was a disciple and pretending to be with the opposition.

Look at what the Scripture says…

John 18:17–18 ESV

17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this language, is it…

John 18:5 ESV

5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

Both standing with the enemies of Christ.

Judas disguising his betrayal with the disguise of a kiss.

Peter disguising his betrayal by denying his discipleship and pretending to be with the mob.

So, what’s the difference?

—> Christ.

Christ promised that He would not lose one of those whom the Father gave Him to redeem.

—> Christ is our security.

He lays His life down for His sheep.

No one can snatch us out of His hand.

Luke 22:31–32 ESV

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

What kept Peter from being lost in condemnation…

Was not his ability with the sword.

Not his devotion to Christ, it was fickle.

Not his efforts.

No, what kept Peter is the same thing that keeps you and me, dear Christian.

—> It is the power of Christ.

Oh, the beauty of being secure in Christ.

The beauty of knowing that Christ will:

keep us

never forsake us

preserve us forevermore

The next time you see a scoffer, a promiscuous person, a drunkard, a cheat…

Make sure you remember, there go I, but by the grace of God.

Oh, what a Savior we have in Jesus!

Let’s think about this...

How Do I Know Christ Is Preserving Me?

#1 – The foundational ground of assurance is the promise of God in Jesus Christ.

Do you trust the promise of God for salvation in Jesus?

If you trust the promise of salvation in Christ, then you can know for sure that God is your Father, and you are his child.

You can be sure that you dwell in the love of God.

#2 – The second assurance, which is a promise of the NC, is tied to the first assurance, and it is the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.

What does this inward witness mean?

This is not the HS speaking audibly.

This is not the HS giving you the warm fuzzies.

This the Holy Spirit taking the promise of Christ in the Bible, and He leads our spirits to believe and love what the Bible says about Jesus.

The Holy Spirit takes the truth of the Bible and teaches your heart that Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead.

If your heart trusts and loves the Jesus of the Bible, then that is the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.

#3 – The third assurance, also tied to the first, is the evidence of good works.

Some may say, why include good works as an assurance?

And, the answer is because they are promised in the New Covenant.

Let me be clear that when we speak of a ground of assurance being the evidence of good works…

We are not stating an amount of good works, but any good works.

Good works are not the foundation of our assurance, but an evidence that bolsters our assurance.

Good works are not something we contrive on our own…

But, rather we actively cooperate with the grace of God…

Because good works are a promise of the New Life.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

So, when we sin…is there repentance at all.

Does your sin grieve you towards God?

In that you find displeasure in behaving in a manner that is displeasing to the Lord.

If there is:

Any displeasure of sin.

Any repentance.

Any love of God.

Any trusting in the promises of God in Christ.

Rejoice because you dwell in the love of God.

And the promise of eternal life is working in and through you.

Closing Prayer