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By Mike Caton

John 18:15, “Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.”

The other gospel writers tell us that when Jesus was arrested, the other disciples scattered. And really, who could blame them? These soldiers came to arrest Jesus, armed and at night. What good can come from that? Jesus has told them he is going to be killed by the religious leaders, though they didn’t seem to understand what he was talking about. And to be sure they had heard the rumors that had to be going around about what the religious leaders planned to do to him. If they were going to kill Jesus, what would stop them from killing his followers as well?

But Peter and this other disciple follow Jesus and the crowd and find themselves in the courtyard of the high priest, Caiaphas. Who was this other disciple? It has to be John. John never names himself in the gospel, but refers to himself in ways like this: another disciple, the disciple Jesus loved and so forth. And the story line continues here in the first person, John continues to write as if he is actually there and watching these things take place. Think about where these men go, into the courtyard of the high priest. Do you think they were expecting to find many friends there? They were following Jesus into the lion’s den, so to speak. What did they expect? Did they think they could help Jesus?

I wonder how closely we follow Jesus. Sure, it is easy to follow him when he is feeding the multitudes, when he is preaching on the mountainside, when he is healing all the sick and lame. But what about when he leads us to the uncomfortable places? What about when he wants us to go somewhere dangerous? Somewhere we are outnumbered? Somewhere there might be danger? Or maybe where we might be out of our element? We need to be committed enough to follow Jesus in those times as well. In fact, those are the times we need to stay even closer.

Father, help me be a good follower. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works full time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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