Peter Followed at a Distance

Matthew 26:69-75

Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.

After Jesus was taken into custody, the disciples fled, but Peter followed Him at a distance entering into the high priest’s courtyard (Mt. 26:58). Peter was sitting among the servants of those who sought to kill Jesus when a servant girl identified him as being with the Lord. This strong fisherman able to pull a net full of large fish out of the water and onto land was suddenly afraid to tell the truth because a little girl confronted him (John 21:11). She was not the only one who frightened Peter. As he began moving further away from where they questioned Jesus, another girl identified him as being with Jesus. This time he vehemently denied it. A little later, others recognized Peter as being with Jesus because his Galilean accent gave him away. When the Scripture says he began to curse and swear, it is not speaking of using foul language. He was actually pronouncing a curse on himself and swearing in the name of God that he did not know Jesus. Upon his third denial, a rooster crowed. Suddenly, Peter remembered the words of Christ that he refused to believe, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Upset at himself for doing what he never thought he would do, Peter left sobbing and broken hearted.

Peter’s failure to remain faithful to the Lord did not begin with his first denial of knowing Him. It began when he followed Jesus from a distance. Many Christians or those who profess to believe in the Lord do not follow Him closely; they follow at a distance. As you examine this narrative, you see Peter move further away from the Lord with each proclamation that he had been with Jesus. Distancing yourself from Jesus will certainly be your downfall. In the midst of drifting away from the Lord, Peter became increasingly fearful. The Bible says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love,” (1 John 4:18). Peter was afraid because he allowed his love for the Lord to dissipate with every step he took further away from Him. Peter forgot the Lord was completely in control even though it appeared as though He was a prisoner. Jesus told him He could call tens of thousands of angels to rescue Him if He wanted. As Peter distanced himself from Jesus, he lost sight that Jesus is Lord over heaven and earth, and it caused him to stumble. If you do not want to stumble in your faith, walk closely with the Lord. If world events or life’s circumstances are causing fear to arise within you, remember who is in control. If you have drifted from the Lord, it only takes one step to start moving towards Him. Jesus’ love for you is perfect even if your love for Him isn’t. Receive His love. Cast fear aside. Draw close to the Lord, and do not follow Him from a distance.