This is new. Peter was Jesus’ first disciple. He is first in every list of the Twelve. He is first in every mention of the inner circle, Peter, James, and John. He is frequently singled out for direct and personal interaction with Jesus.

But now, when confessing Christ could cost him his life, he follows at a distance.

It’s great to follow Jesus when all things go your way. When water turns to wine. When fish flood the nets. When bread multiplies in your hands. When demons flee and blind men see. When the lame walk and the dead are raised.

But where are we when confessing Christ costs more than a tithe? When telling the truth and living the truth could get us demoted or fired? Where are we?

So what about Peter? Has he exchanged direct discipleship for distance learning?

No. Church Fathers and historians understand Peter better than we do. They don’t make him out to be the clown and coward that popular preaching often does.

John Chrysostom commends his zeal: He did not flee as others did. The Venerable Bede defends his honour: He stood his ground despite his fear. And Thomas Aquinas commends Peter for his fervour, although it was mixed with fear.

Few if any ever followed Jesus more closely than Peter did. He alone walked with Him on the stormy sea. He alone defended Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

And now Peter remains as close to Jesus as he can under the circumstances. And besides, Jesus had warned him: Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow afterward (John 13:36).

So far, therefore, Peter has remained true to his Master. His conduct is honourable. His love and loyalty are incontestable. He puts himself in harm’s way. He exposes himself to the trial of his life, which Jesus said would happen that night.

Peter follows from afar. But at least he follows. His fellow disciples play safe and run. They will all need Peter’s strength and courage to restore them when the dust settles.

Meanwhile, Peter draws what cold comfort he can from the campfire of the enemy. Don’t we all?

PrayerWatch

• Are we following Jesus at a distance?
   
  For Peter, it was a physical distance that couldn’t be helped in that moment. For us it’s a heart distance that we often allow. It can happen to anyone, from the humble homemaker to the eloquent theologian.
   
  Pause in silence and self-examination: Have we lost our nerve in the heat of opposition? Are we ashamed of the Gospel of Christ?
   
  Have we let other things – good, bad, or neutral – come between us and our Lord? Social media? Online games? Spotify? Netflix? Hungrygowhere? School? Career? Shopping? Entertainment? Recreation? Sports? Beauty care? Dating? Idleness?
   
  What is it for you? Confess your wanderings. Confront them now. Close the gap between your heart and Jesus. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
   
  Sing and pray the lyrics of this contemporary song:
  Lord, I come to You, let my heart be changed, renewed
  Flowing from the grace that I’ve found in You
  Lord, I’ve come to know the weaknesses I see in me
  Will be stripped away by the power of Your love
  Hold me close, let Your love surround me
  Bring me near, draw me to Your side
  And as I wait, I’ll rise up like the eagle
  And I will soar with You, Your Spirit leads me on
  In the power of Your love

• Are we drawing cold comfort from worldly fires?
   
  There is nothing morally wrong with Peter warming himself at that fire. But under the circumstances, he ties himself up into a tedious knot. His hands and feet are strangely warmed. But his heart is not.
   
  He has to blend in with non-disciples in order to protect himself. For the first time in three years, he has to be a disciple incognito.
   
  Do you know the feeling? Ever find yourself in cozy situations where it is not convenient to be known as a Christian or a pastor? And yet you can’t resist the warmth?
   
  That’s the time to cut and run. Better freeze to death than expose yourself to compromise. Don’t overestimate your ability to resist. If Peter denied Christ, so can we.
   
  Pray: Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. Sometimes I play cat-and-mouse with the devil. I foolishly walk the edge of the precipice. I consciously expose myself to temptations to lie, cheat, lust, or compromise in a thousand ways.
   
  I knowingly let the flame of my devotion go out (Leviticus 6:12). No wonder, I seek consolation from worldly fires.
   
  Lord, forgive me. I return to You with all my heart, mind, and soul. Ignite in me a fiery passion for You. Revive me again!

Read the devotional from Day 22, July 22: Cut and run here.