There is no such thing as a lone sheep

 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better for one man to die on behalf of the people.
And Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. Then the servant-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you not also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

John 18:12-18

Introduction

In typical fashion, John refers to himself anonymously in this passage. He is “the disciple whom He loved,” (John 19:26) “one of His disciples,” (John 13:23) and “the other disciple” (John 20:2). Here, he is “another disciple.” He is one “known to the high priest.” John’s aim is not to elevate himself in any way, but to highlight the life and work of Jesus Christ.

It is interesting how John chooses to tell this story with himself taking a diminished role. He sees himself truly as a servant to his fellow believers as Christ commanded. If you are anything like me, though, the main character in most of your stories is probably yourself. Whether the story is about a funny thing that happened or a terribly difficult trial, it is told from your own perspective with you either as the hero or the victim of circumstance.

But how much better could we love our Lord and our neighbors if we shifted that perspective? What if we recognized the active work of God even in our stories? How different would our outlook be if we remembered all history belongs to God, and He is the One to be glorified above all else?

Following Jesus

Even placing Peter first, John calls him the one “following Jesus” after His arrest, then only anonymously identifying himself. As much as we can rightly call out Peter’s cowardice in denying Jesus three times that night, it is undeniable that he also girded and prepared himself to go with the Lord as far as he would. First striking the slave’s ear, and then following Jesus even to the court of the high priest, Peter and John were ready to see this through.

But that is where Peter began to waiver. The reality sunk in that moment as he watched these men take the Lord to the place where they would hold kangaroo court and convict Him, God in the flesh, of blasphemy. He waited outside the court, only being drawn in by John who was personally familiar with Caiaphas.

Perhaps this is why the Church was designed to be a communal body. Many believe they are able to live the Christian life “just me and my Bible.” But they miss the mysterious strengthening power of fellowship in the Christian life. Ascetics and monks may seem particularly holy, but by sequestering themselves out and far away from society, the native support system God gave us vanishes.

In the letter to the Hebrews, the author presents the reality of the gospel in Jesus’ sacrifice once for all. This results in two things: we are given confidence to enter holy places (Hebrews 10:19), and we are given a great priest over the house of God (Hebrews 10:21). This reality given to us by the blood of Jesus, then, spurs us onto three things: we ought to draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22), stay true to our confession of faith (Hebrews 10:23), and spur one another to good deeds and carry on in the faith (Hebrews 10:24).

This then culminates in the method by which we are to carry out those things: “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some.” (Hebrews 10:25) By gathering together every Sunday, we remind each other of the gracious work of Christ on the cross which makes us clean and able to come before the Father. In Church, we come closer to Him, become stalwart in our faith, and encourage our fellow believers just as John encouraged Peter in this passage.

In or of the world?

Even with that encouragement, Peter commits his first of three denials. The slave girl approaches him and asks if he is a disciple, to which Peter replies, “I am not.” In contrast to his position mere moments earlier, Peter finds himself seeking comfort and companionship among the non-believers.

“Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves” begins this typical scene. They are not merely comforting, but actively warming by the fire which they had lit. Rather than joining John in continuing to follow after Jesus, Peter goes astray to cast his lot with these officers and slaves. Disconnecting himself from the body, Peter is set up to complete the failure Jesus prophesied only a few hours earlier in chapter 13.

When we become Christ’s, we are transferred from the kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God. Our citizenship of this world is revoked in favor of one that is eternally with the Lord. Even so, we remain on this earth for a time to perform the work He has ordained for us. The paradox is that this work is to go out into the world, telling people of the good news, while simultaneously remaining separate from the world. This is only possible when we are in consistent fellowship with the Church, gathering together regularly to sing to the Lord, pray, learn, and commune with one another.

May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.