Luke the beloved physician wrote how, “Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer you thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Are you come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, you stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse fifty-four of his book Luke shared how the religious leaders “took” Jesus, “and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house” where we read:
Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house.
And Peter followed afar off.
The verse reads, “Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house.” Luke began with the words, “then took they him” or “at that time the religious leaders seized, succored and caught Jesus”, “and led him” which means “and conducted, guided and directed Jesus”, “and brought him into the high priest's house” or “and carried and brought Jesus into the dwelling place, abode and habitation of the chief and principal priest”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” took hold of Jesus and “carried” Him to the home of the “chief and principal” priest.
The verse goes on to say, “And Peter followed afar off.” Luke continued with the words, “and Peter” whose name means “a little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples” “followed afar off” which means “joined, attended to and accompanied Jesus and the crowd from a distance away”. Luke shared how Jesus' disciple named “Peter” “accompanied” the crowd and Jesus from a “distance away”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn what the “religious leaders” and the “multitude” did with Jesus after arresting Him. They “carried” Him to the “chief and principal priest's home”. It was there they would “try” Jesus for fabricated crimes before they “led” Him to greater authorities. We can imagine this vicious crowd as they believed they were in the “right” to capture Jesus and bring Him to trial in the “chief priest's” home. Jesus' disciple “Peter” who cut off the ear of the servant of the “high priest” was “following” them from a distance away. Rather than be with Him, Peter put some space between Jesus and His accusers. Though Jesus came to offer His “salvation” to every person, many people choose the posture of “Peter” and only “follow” Him “afar off”. Those who are wise will draw near to Jesus, He will draw near to them. (See James 4:8)
Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders, “had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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