But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. John 18:16
The man who had sworn to march into the jaws of death for his Lord was facing a problem. His Lord had been taken into the high priest’s house for a hearing, and Peter had no way to get in. He had already proven his valour by attacking a member of the arresting mob. Now he wanted to attend the hearing, especially considering the likelihood that the hearing would not go well. The door was guarded, and admittance was by invitation only. But an invitation came. John, who had some sort of acquaintance with the high priest, had been admitted on that basis. Now, John notices Peter outside, desiring to get in. So John tells the doorkeeper, ‘It’s OK, he’s with me,’ and brings Peter inside. And it turns out that Peter’s intentions are better than his ability to carry them out.
Yesterday, you faced a situation in which the Holy Spirit presented you with an opportunity to stand up for your Lord before His enemies. The same thing will happen today, and probably tomorrow, although the circumstances will be different. We have nothing so dramatic as what Peter faced. And hopefully, we won’t experience the same collapse that Peter fell into. But we are disciples of the same Lord that Peter followed. And we see all around us the same enmity of the world against HIm. We also know that it will cost us if those around us know that we are on His side. We know that there is reproach from those who reject our Lord. And just as it was a problem for Peter, it can be a problem for us. Like Peter, we find a little comfort at the world’s fire; we cringe from the stinging accusations of the scornful; we become embarrassed about standing out in the Christ-rejecting crowd. Peter had a great opportunity. And he blew it. And for the rest of his days, he regretted it. As we have opportunities to be faithful to our Lord, let us remember there is regret for blowing the opportunities.
When the cock crows, let us not regret the missed opportunities that we are given each day. -Jim MacIntosh