Jewels From JohnExemple

Do They Know Who We Are? 

'The woman asked Peter, "You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No," he said, “I am not.”' John 18:17 (NLT) 

 Read John 18:15-18; 25-27 for the entire account

Most of us are familiar with the incident of Peter denying Jesus. However, have you wondered what made it so obvious to everyone that Peter was, indeed, a disciple of Jesus? He and John entered the courtyard of the High Priest, but somehow, the servant girl and the others identified Peter, even though it was dark. Two of the Gospel’s mention that someone recognized him as a Galilean, just like Jesus. His close association with Jesus for three and half years left such an indelible mark, that even a stranger said, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Matthew 26:71 (NKJV). Sadly, at that point, however, Peter was so fearful and fainthearted, that he thrice denied knowing Jesus. 

There was an amazing transformation that took place in Peter’s life after the day of Pentecost. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and his fear was replaced with an unmatched boldness. Not only were wonders and miracles being performed through Peter, but every time He stood up to preach, thousands were also believing and turning to the Lord. In Acts 4:13, we read “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (NKJV) Once again Peter was recognized as one who had been with Jesus and, this time, nothing could deter him from confessing, and boldly proclaiming who Jesus was. 

Unlike Peter, who was ‘uneducated and untrained,’ most of us have received much. We have education, specializations, and even hold prominent positions. But the question is, do people know us as those who belong to Jesus? We could be in one of two places: a place of fear and denial, or a place of witness and courage where everyone can recognize that we belong to Jesus. Only when we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirt, and walk in total obedience to the Lord Jesus will we come to the latter place.

Here’s a reminder for us from Jesus Himself: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in His glory and in the glory of the Father and the Holy angels." Luke 9:26 (NLT)