Thou Art With Me

"Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” John 18:25

            The infamous "denial of Christ" is sadly the most memorable part of Peter's legacy, but I was thinking about it...  How is it that the same man who stepped forward and sliced off the ear of the high priest's servant in front of a band of well-trained Roman soldiers, who stepped out of his boat onto the raging waves in the middle of a violent storm, who rebuked Jesus to his face when he spoke of his own death - how is it that this man lacked the basic courage to admit, to a servant girl at a bonfire, that he even knew Jesus?!?  It's either a fascinating study of schizophrenia or something much, much simpler.  Let's think for a minute... What did all of Peter's lion-hearted moments all have in common and how was the night before Jesus' crucifixion any different?  Let's read: 

                "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, but Peter stood outside at the door." (John 18:15-16)  John and his family owned a fishing business that provided fish to the high priest's family, so it's likely that John was the one "known to the high priest" who was allowed to enter.  But we read that "Peter stood outside the door."  For the first time in years, Peter found himself separated from Jesus - and it was in this context that his courage failed him.  Earlier, when Jesus asked his followers to eat his body and drink his blood, many followers ran for the exits - but Peter stayed, saying, "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" You see, Peter understood that his whole life was tied up in Jesus and that when Jesus was around, he could do anything!           In Acts 4, the people marveled at "the boldness of Peter" as he preached. Jesus wasn't physically there, but His Spirit was there, and according to Jesus, it's better for us to have His Spirit than to have him physically with us (John 16:7)! 

            Perhaps when Jesus said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing," he really meant it.  We read that "David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him" (1 Chronicles 11:9). And "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4).

            There is nothing in this life that we cannot face if Christ is with us.  And when I say "with us," I don't mean that we merely believe in Christ, or respect him, or even speak about him. What I mean is that there's no substitute for getting in a quiet place, seeking Jesus, and experiencing the very real presence of his Spirit with us. 

            "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!"