Peter was in the courtyard of the... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
John 18:16.

Peter was in the courtyard of the high priest - the wrong place. The one who had claimed to be "ready to go both to prison and to death" (Luke 22:33) with the Lord had fled with all the disciples when the Lord was arrested and bound. Later he followed the Lord "at a distance to see the end" (Matthew 26:58). Finally the other disciple's connection with the high priest got him permission to enter the court, which proved to be a snare for him.

One can rightly object that the other disciple was also in the high priest's courtyard, but he did not deny his Lord. This makes Peter's conduct all the more serious; it shows up his rashness, for the other disciple had not sat by the fire despite the cold night. Or was it perhaps his acquaintance with the high priest that made him less conspicuous than Peter? The Word of God remains silent on this point. But the other disciple, who was clearly John, was preserved as opposed to Peter.

From this we can learn that I may feel free to be at a certain place or to undertake something that is not harmful for me, but if I help others to follow suit, it may prove a snare for them. How we need to take care not to bring other believers, particularly the young, into situations that overtax their faith.

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 · Revelation 2:1-7