"Be Fearless"(John 18:15-27)

John 18:15-27

Do you ever want to hide your belief in Jesus Christ as your savior? In South Korea, we have religious freedom and do not worry about persecution. In many other places in the world, Christians can be arrested for their beliefs, face physical violence, or endure other hardships for their beliefs. However, even in a country where we do not have to worry about persecution, many of us are shy to speak about our beliefs or try to cover up our Christian faith when we are not in the presence of other believers.

In John 18:15, we read that Peter and John followed Jesus to the trial after his betrayal from Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. There is nothing surprising about Peter following Jesus to the trial since he was a devout disciple of Jesus and had even stated that he would follow Jesus anywhere earlier in the gospels.

Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
John 13:37 ESV

Also, Peter was the only disciple who got out of the boat to walk on water towards Jesus. This took faith, devotion and bravery.

He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
Matthew 14:29 ESV

But Peter denies Jesus. He had been so confident in the past when he was around other disciples and Jesus were there to hear his boasts, yet a servant girl makes him scared. She asks a simple question while Peter was warming himself outside.
 
The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”
John 18:17 ESV

Like Peter, we need to be aware of our over confidence in ourselves. Mature and strong Christians fall many times because of their arrogance. Peter would later write about this kind of trap in 1 Peter.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
 
We also read in this passage about Jesus' trial. Jesus stood completely within His rights and showed no fear during His trial. He asks for witnesses. Jesus' answers to the high priests show a confident man who is exercising His rights within the law.
 
Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.  Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”  Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”
John 18:20‭-‬21‭, ‬23 ESV
 
The author purposely shows the difference between Jesus’ characters and Peter’s character in this passage through the parallel questioning. Interestingly Jesus denies nothing to His questioners although He is innocent. In fact, Jesus is fearless during his trial whereas Peter denies the truth and displays cowardice.

We know, as did Peter knew, that people who deny Jesus will not enter heaven. Peter displays many of the characteristics of people who will be denied entry into heaven as described in Revelations 21.
 
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32‭-‬33 ESV
 
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8 ESV
 
However, Jesus is interested in the heart of Peter as he is interested in our hearts. Yes, our actions do carry consequences as well as our words, but it is our heart, or our inner most desires, that God is concerned with.
 
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 ESV
 
Being a Christian is about the relationship we have with Jesus. It is not a legalistic religion that requires perfect obedience and rituals. Our relationship does need faith for that relationship to grow and be more genuine. We all need faith to please God and not to fail. The stronger your faith, the less fear you have. To remove fear, you need to grow your faith, and as your faith grows, so does your relationship with God. 
 
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Matthew 8:26 ESV
 
Jesus is not a legalistic god who does not know us intimately. Jesus does want a loving relationship with us. We do not need to be perfect to be loved by God. If we genuinely love God, He will allow us to grow and encourage us to be obedient. We just need to put our faith in God.