Luke 22:55-62 Get Close, Stick Close

54. ○They seized Jesus and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance.

62. And he went out and wept bitterly.

◇ The image of Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives until his sweat became like drops of blood, and the image of Peter coming out and weeping bitterly, overlap. Even though everyone abandoned Jesus, Peter had said he would never abandon him and would even die with him. Yet he denied Jesus three times, saying he did not know him, right in the face of death. He denied the Teacher who was standing before death. At that moment, he met the eyes of the Teacher, full of sorrow and pain. Peter will never forget that day.

The ending of the story is hinted at from the beginning with Peter following at a "distance." This distance feels like a safety net, allowing him to abandon the prisoner Jesus and flee to safety whenever needed. The physical distance of "at a distance" also creates an emotional distance. Though he came to witness Jesus' fate, if Jesus is found guilty and punished, Peter seems ready to turn away at any moment. Standing at a distance, Peter eventually denies knowing Jesus when questioned by the servants.

Those who love do not stand at a distance. They are always close, always wanting to be closer. That is the heart of love. Jesus compared himself and his believers to a vine and its branches. A branch cannot live if it is separated from the vine. It must remain connected.

May we not just observe Jesus from a distance, but cling to him, feeding on the bread of life.

♧ Righteous and just God, do not let us become people who can deny and abandon Jesus, standing at a distance. Make us people who stick close, who live or die together with Jesus. Holy Spirit, make us strong and courageous. Amen.