Palace Intrigue

Peter has not yet fulfilled the prediction by Jesus that he would deny him three times before the rooster cut loose with his morning revelry. He has already shown a bravery of sorts, albeit ill conceived and poorly executed. After the ear amputation and subsequent healing, Jesus is arrested and Peter drifts into the shadows. But shortly after the determined mob heads off to present Jesus before Caiaphas, Peter and “another” disciple begin to shadow their movements: Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. ~John 18:15,16

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Why does it matter? If I’ve guessed it correctly it is a perfect reminder of the actions of a guilty conscience. At this point, the betrayal was a fait accompli and the consequences of his actions would now be determined by others. Judas was fast becoming persona non grata to the Sanhedrin. They had used him. They had paid him. The deal was closed. They had no further use of him. And now, in perhaps a feeble attempt to save face, to justify his actions, to explain himself – he shows Peter that he still has enough gravitas to claim a ringside seat to the trial. His was not a settled conscience. Guilty people try too hard to impress, to endear, to conspire, and to justify. They smile too big and they wink too much. They have, in the words of CS Lewis, “…too much of the Spaniel about them.” We can only guess that Peter – a volatile man who had, just a few minutes ago whacked the ear off a lad – was in no mood to hear Judas’ “side of the story.” He cared not a whit about Judas’ newfound connections with people of power. Peter was a man in deep misery and he was a realist. From what he could make out, this was a show trial being held in the darkness of night for one purpose – the death of his friend, his mentor and soon to be Savior, Jesus of Nazareth.