Based on John 18:15-27 (King James Version)
“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.’ And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, ‘Do You answer the high priest like that?’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?’ Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, ‘You are not also one of His disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not!’ One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with Him?’ Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.”
When reading this passage, the majority of people focus on Peter, and what happened with Peter (which we will see also). But, I feel that it is necessary to focus more on John, because many don’t do it, and possibly because this is the most important aspect not just of this passage, but also, the prime example that we need to have for our faith. So, for starters, let’s identify John so we can see him clearly. John is mentioned in different ways in the gospel he writes. In this passage in particular, we see him as the disciple that was known to the high priest. In other passages, we see him as the “disciple whom He loved” and in other ways as well. John alludes to himself in the book. When we understand where John was in the whole story, then a clearer picture is being revealed that can show John’s actions better.
If we follow the thread that joins all of the events where John was, we can see that John never really abandoned the Lord after His arrest. John saw and heard practically everything. That’s why we not only have the accounts of what happened with the Lord through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but also, because of John’s eyewitness accounts. He must have been the one that told the others everything that happened and that was said. For it is written: “This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.” John 21:24.
Why is this important? John was faithful, even in the Lord’s worst moments. He never abandoned the Lord. He always tried to be with Him. We see that he was the only disciple of the Lord that was there until the very end (speaking of the crucifixion, because that was certainly not the end for the Lord, and glory to God for that). This is what we read: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:25-27. So then, not only was John faithful until the Lord’s death, but even far after, because he even took care of Mary, the Lord’s carnal mother, until she went to God’s presence. John was truly unique. What was it that made John so different to the others? What made him unique in his way of being? One thing, and the most important of all: John loved the Lord. The relationship that John had with the Lord was unique; incomparable. John followed the Lord because he believed in Him, because he had acknowledged Him as the Messiah, but even more important than all of that; John followed the Lord simply because he loved Him.
Peter was not so, even though he would learn this in time. When the Lord restored Peter, we need to see the detail of what the Lord said to him, for it is written: “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” John 21:15-19. The Lord didn’t ask Peter, “Do you understand now Peter why I didn’t need for you to defend me?”, or “Did you see Peter that I was able to triumph over death?” The Lord didn’t say anything like that. The Lord was concerned with was just one thing: “Peter, do you love me?” How amazing that the only thing that mattered to the greatest and most powerful Being of the universe, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, was if Peter loved Him! And this is what the Lord looks for in all of us. It’s what has always interested Him the most. For it is written: “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30.
Why is love so important to God? Because He is a God of justice, and it is only fair that we look to love Him as He deserves to be loved, for it is also written: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10. Without Christ, there can be no existence, or life in this world! Without Christ, there can be no salvation or eternal life! Without His sacrifice on the cross, and the shedding of the Lamb’s blood, there can be no forgiveness for sins! We owe Him absolutely everything! And God did everything for love; and for nothing more, and nothing less. So then, have you been able to understand the magnitude of God’s love for you? Is it enough for you, or do you want something else? Do you try to love Him in the same manner, like John loved Him? Lord bless! John