QT 25/01/2026 Mon. John 18. John & Peter: Following Christ When It Costs? 约翰与彼得：代价高昂时跟随基督?
QT 25/01/2026 Mon. John 18. John & Peter: Following Christ When It Costs?
READ http://www.esv.org/john18
Courage does not always roar; sometimes it simply remains.
Scripture: John 18:15–16; 25–27 (ESV)
John 18:15–16 [15] Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, [16] but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. (ESV)
(1) Following Christ and Tough Choices
The arrest and trial of Jesus expose the cost of discipleship. In the shadows of the high priest’s courtyard, two disciples appear—both following Jesus, yet responding very differently to the pressure of the moment.
John 18:15 tells us that “Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple.” Both men are physically near Christ. Both have left the garden. Both are witnesses to the unfolding injustice. Yet proximity to Jesus does not automatically produce faithfulness. The crisis reveals the heart.
(2) The Presence of the Other Disciple
John—widely understood to be the “other disciple”—is described as being known to the high priest. This relationship gives him access, and yet this was equally dangerous because the high priest was the very person that was about to decide on the fate of Jesus! John enters the courtyard, remains present, and even advocates for Peter, speaking to the servant girl and bringing him inside.
John does not speak in these verses, but his silent presence speaks loudly. He stays close to Jesus in the hour of humiliation and rejection. There is no record of bravado, promises, or self-confidence—only quiet faithfulness. John shows us that courage does not always roar; sometimes it simply remains.
True discipleship often looks like this: staying near Jesus when association with Him brings risk rather than reward.
(3) The Denial of Peter
Peter, by contrast, is torn. He follows Jesus—but at a distance. He wants proximity without identification, warmth without witness. Standing by the fire, he is questioned not by powerful authorities but by ordinary people. Three times he is given the chance to confess Christ, and three times he denies Him.
The words “I am not” are especially tragic. Earlier, Jesus repeatedly declared “I am”—revealing His divine identity. Peter, fearing consequences, denies not only discipleship but association altogether.
Peter’s failure reminds us that good intentions are no substitute for spiritual dependence. Confidence in ourselves collapses under pressure, but confidence in Christ sustains.
(4) The Choice Every Disciple Faces
John and Peter represent two responses to the same moment:
One remains present with Jesus, quietly faithful.
The other seeks safety, even at the cost of truth.
Following Christ always brings moments of decision—times when faith must be chosen over fear, loyalty over comfort. The world may not always threaten us with arrest, but it will test our willingness to identify with Jesus when it is inconvenient, costly, or socially dangerous.
Yet this passage is not only about failure—it is also about grace. The rooster’s crow does not mark the end of Peter’s story. The same Jesus Peter denied will later restore him fully. This reminds us that failure is not final for those whom Christ calls.
Closing Reflection
John 18 confronts us with a sober question: When following Jesus becomes costly, will we remain present—or will we deny Him to protect ourselves? Faithful presence may look ordinary, but it honours Christ deeply. And when we fail, the gospel assures us that repentance leads to restoration.
Prayer:
Dear God, give us courage to remain with You when it is hard to follow. Strengthen our faith when fear tempts us to deny You. And when we stumble, draw us back with Your restoring grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 25/01/2026 星期一. 约翰福音18 约翰与彼得：代价高昂时跟随基督?
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/jhn/18/
勇气并非总是轰轰烈烈，有时它只是默默坚守。
经文：约翰福音18:15–16；25–27.
15 西门．彼得和另一个门徒跟着耶稣；那门徒是大祭司认识的。他跟耶稣一起进了大祭司的院子，16 彼得却站在门外。大祭司所认识的那门徒出来，对看门的婢女说了一声，就带了彼得进去。
(1) 跟随基督与艰难抉择
耶稣被捕受审的场景揭示了门徒身份的代价。在大祭司院落的阴影中，两位门徒的身影浮现——他们都跟随耶稣，却在压力时刻作出截然不同的回应。
约翰福音18:15记载：“西门彼得和另一个门徒跟着耶稣。” 二人皆身处基督近旁，同离花园，共同见证不公正在展开。然而靠近耶稣并不必然带来忠心，危难时刻方显真心。
(2) 另一位门徒的在场
约翰——普遍被认为是“另一位门徒”——被描述为与大祭司相识。这种关系使他得以进入，却也同样危险，因为大祭司正是即将决定耶稣命运之人！约翰进入院中，始终在场，甚至为彼得辩护，与女仆交谈并带他入内。
约翰在这些经文中未曾开口，但他的沉默存在却发出了响亮的声音。在耶稣遭受羞辱与拒绝的时刻，他始终紧随其侧。经文未记载任何豪言壮语、承诺或自信——唯有静默的忠诚。约翰向我们表明：勇气并非总是轰轰烈烈，有时它只是默默坚守。
真正的门徒之道常是如此：当与耶稣同行意味着风险而非回报时，仍选择紧随其后。
(3) 彼得的三次不认
彼得却陷入挣扎。他跟随耶稣——却保持距离。他渴望亲近却不愿认同，渴求温暖却逃避见证。围炉而坐时，质问者并非权贵，而是寻常百姓。三次机会本可承认基督，他却三次否认。
那句“我不是”尤为悲怆。此前耶稣屡次宣告“我是”——昭示祂的神性身份。彼得因惧怕后果，不仅否认门徒身份，更彻底否认与祂的关联。
彼得的失败提醒我们，良好的意愿无法替代对属灵的倚靠。自我信心在压力下会崩塌，但对基督的信心却能持守到底。
(4) 每位门徒面临的选择
约翰与彼得在同一时刻展现出两种反应：
- 一人静默跟随耶稣，默默坚守信仰
- 另一人却为求安稳，甚至甘愿背弃真理
跟随基督总会带来抉择时刻——必须选择信心而非恐惧，忠诚而非安逸的时刻。世人或许不会时刻以逮捕相威胁，但当与耶稣认同变得不便、代价高昂或社会危险时，它必将考验我们的决心。
然而这段经文不仅关乎失败，更关乎恩典。公鸡啼鸣并非彼得故事的终章。那位被彼得三次否认的耶稣，日后将全然恢复他的生命。这提醒我们：对蒙基督呼召之人而言，失败并非终局。
终章沉思
《约翰福音》第十八章向我们提出严峻质问：当跟随耶稣代价高昂时，我们是否仍会坚守——抑或为保全自己而否认祂？忠信的守候看似平凡，却深切荣耀基督。而当我们跌倒时，福音向我们保证：悔改必带来复兴。
祷告：
亲爱的主，求赐我们勇气，在跟随艰难时仍与你同在。当恐惧引诱我们否认你时，求坚固我们的信心。当我们跌倒时，求你以恢复的恩典将我们拉回。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
