I see wonder most deeply in John. A mysterious member of the Fellowship of the Lamb, he is usually found about
two steps behind someone else (Andrew, Peter, and sometimes James). He is quoted directly only once, and is rebuked. I sense a disconnect in his relationship
with the others in spite of being in Jesus’ inner circle – listed third.
Perhaps
Peter became an oasis for the upstart who, with his big brother, may have had a spirit of adolescent rashness. But even Peter may have struggled after the duo, with
momma’s help, made a bid for the best seats in the Kingdom. Can you hear long, resentful silences on the hike to Jerusalem? When Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the early Passover meal he may have had a restoration of friendship in mind.
In an atmosphere of resentment, do
you suppose John felt self-conscious when Jesus motioned for him to recline beside him at the table that
evening? When John wrote about this he described himself for the first time as "the
disciple whom Jesus loved."
But
there is more to the mystery. To consider it we must turn for a moment to Peter, sword in hand, in an
orchard filled with soldiers whose spears glistened in the torch light.
Peter's commitment to lay down his life was not idle bravado. However
his faith had settled on only one possible course of action. When Jesus chose a
different course, Peter ran out of options. Disoriented, he backed among the nearest trees and there bumped into...John.
Was
it his young protégé who encouraged him to follow the mob to the High
Priest’s house? We discover the kid had access! The High Priest knew him! He even had pull with a guard. And hours later, Peter will have left the stage and John will stand, alone, with Jesus’mother, at the very foot of the cross.
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