“Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. … One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with Him?’ Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.“
(John 18:18, 26-27 ESV)
Picture the scene. It’s the high priest’s house, and somewhere inside Jesus is on trial for His life. The lesser people—the servants and soldiers—are waiting outside in the courtyard until they are needed. It’s cold, and some of them have made a fire to stand by.
And then there’s Peter, waiting to see what becomes of Jesus. He’s cold, too. So what does he do? He walks over to stand by the fire—among Jesus’ enemies.
That’s not a good place to stand, Peter! Of course they challenge him. And he denies Jesus, swearing he doesn’t even know Him.
Thank God Jesus didn’t make the same mistake. He stands where He has always stood—on our side, against our old enemies of sin, death, and the devil. And that is our salvation. If Jesus were not standing with us—calling us, loving us, suffering and dying and rising for us—where would we be? Nowhere good. But Jesus is Immanuel, God-with-us, and He will never leave us. As our crucified and risen Savior, He stands with us forever.
We pray: Dear Jesus, keep me with You! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Can you think of a time when the place you stood showed whose side you were on?
* What does it mean when someone stands by you as a friend?
* What does it mean when God Himself stands by you?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on March 18, 2024
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights