(Verse 15) - It is not well known that two disciples accompanied Jesus at least as far as Annas' house. Peter, of course, was one. The other disciple was likely John, as most commentators agree. It appears that John's family was one of some notoriety as John Himself was known to Annas and was known well enough to secure unquestioned entry for himself, even on such a tense occasion as this. Further, he is well-known enough to home some influence with the servants of Annas' household as he was able, with a word, to get Peter past the gatekeeper as well. 

It is also clear that John's relationship with Jesus was clear as well, and well-known. when the servant questions Peter for the first time she asks him if he is a disciple of Jesus also. This tells us that John was known to be a follower of Christ, but that it was known that he was more than that, that he was a disciple. 

Intriguingly, this tells us that there was no real danger to either John or Peter, at least at this point. The desire of the Jewish Leaders was to take Christ and that was all. There was no design against His followers as yet. This is clear from the treatment John receives in Annas' house. There was no real "need" for Peter to deny his relationship with the Lord. Of course, there is never a need for such a denial, but the cause of the denial is in Peter's mind and heart and not in the circumstances. 

This is always the case when we are unfaithful to our Lord. There is never just or proper cause for unfaithfulness. No matter what the circumstance or the condition that seems to prompt it; we can never justify our failure. Peter denies the Lord here purely because of the fear and the sinful giving in to self that was present in his own heart. There is no other reason that is acceptable or that explains his actions. 

That being said, it is certainly understandable that Peter would do such a thing. It is completely human and we can absolutely relate to where he is at. It is easy to put ourselves in Peter 's place and see ourselves doing as Peter did (and perhaps worse!). But it being human does not excuse it and we would certainly never suggest that it does. The human experience is only helpful in understanding what and how things happen. We must never allow it to become an excuse for sin. All too often we excuse ourselves for failure or sin because, after all, we are only human after all! Of course, on further reflection, we readily see that this is flimsy! Would that we see this truth before the fact and avoid the sin! 

It is interesting that Peter could and still be a believer. One usually associates denial of Christ with those who are not and never were believers. It is usually taken as an indicator of a lack of salvation. However, without making an excuse of it, we do want to note that Peter is most definitely a redeemed individual at this point and yet he commits this grave sin. We ought to avoid the too extremes of "Christians can never commit serious sin" and "Christians are no different than anyone else". Neither is true and both can lead to serious consequences.  

One carrot help but notice the contrast between Christ's faithfulness no matter what and Peter's denial at first occasion. If anything underscores the difference between human righteousness and Divine righteousness this certainly does. Christ, with full knowledge of what lie ahead, moved faithfully forward in spite of the coming agony. Peter, though warned ahead of time of his coming denial, did precisely that anyway. Christ fulfilled exactly all that He had promised and all that He had been charged by God to do. Peter didn't even come close to fulfilling his word when the chips were down. What a tremendous contrast! 

In closing, we ought to note that the danger was all in Peter's mind! The danger that made him strike Malchus and that prompted him to deny Christ was a perceived danger, not a real one. The presence of John, a known disciple of Christ, proves this. No one was after him. There wasn't any reason to deny that he knew Christ or that he was a disciple of His. How often we fall into the same trap! We fail to remember that God is in control and that we need not fear the world and its attacks against us!

How do those facts apply to my life?:

How many of my perceived dangers are really only the results of my imagination? If I believe a thing is of God - then I need not fear anything the world can do.