Long before there was split screen simulcasts, people telling stories had to device ways of letting the consumers of their stories know that two or more sets of actions were taking place at the same time. I remember watching the Batman TV show when I was a kid, and it wasn’t in reruns! When the writes of this show wanted to let you know about simultaneous actions the simply narrated “Meanwhile” and a musical transition sounded, the screen spun, and then the other action was displayed. This shift, although not sophisticated by today’s standards worked.
Jesus is in the high priest’s house being framed. They haven’t been able to gather any real evidence against Him, so they must manufacture some. But meanwhile, Peter is in the courtyard below providing enough evidence of his connection to Jesus, that a servant girl is able to convict him.
Jesus is going to get death based on the lack of evidence. Peter’s life isn’t on the line, although he might feel that way in the moment. He probably doesn’t know what would happen to him if his connection were known. We do know he has denied his connection once already.
And this pesky servant girl just won’t let it go. She won’t drop the matter. She pointed Peter out when he was warming himself. He moved. And now she has followed him to the courtyard entry. She opens her mouth and declares his connection to Jesus again.
Meanwhile Jesus is in the house having mud slung His direction. His life is on the line, and he doesn’t defend Himself. They point their fingers at Him and he absorbs their accusations. Peter doesn’t absorb anything. He bounces it right back at them. You got your facts wrong. I’m not sure who you’ve been talking to, but I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know this Jesus. Who is He again? What is he supposed to have done? And you think I am connected to Him. You are nuts. Leave me alone.
And then it happens. Peter loses his cool. The other people pick up on something. His speech, clothes, mannerisms. Something gives him away. We don’t know what it was, but something tipped his hand. He couldn’t hide anymore. And he loses it. He emphatically denies their connection. He won’t stand for it. So he tries to tell them in language they will understand. He uses his “double dog dare” oath. If we were portraying this in a movie, we might script him making the sign of the cross or swearing on his mother’s grave. He really, really, really, wants them to leave him alone.
And then it happens. Almost as if from out of a trance, the rooster crows! Reality sets in immediately. Peter realizes that he has denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had said. What can he do now? He falls apart.
What happens to us when our proverbial pants are caught down? How do we deal with having our lies put out in the open, our shortcomings paraded across the news, our dirty secrets told in the tabloids. There’s no use denying it. The cat is already out of the bag. And if you have ever tried to put a cat back in a bag, you know just how difficult this is. It will be painful.
The Arnold Journey 