When You’re Put on the Spot

It may have been a conversation and someone looks at you and says “what do you think?” What do you say? You’ve been put on the spot. You’ve been called to identify yourself as who you are. Whether it’s intentional or not, it requires an answer. How did you do?

John 18:15 “15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 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. 17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.  25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.”

Matthew, Mark and Luke wrote of this event. Church history says Mark worked with Peter to give his account.  Two men were put in equal peril and jeopardy. John made it unscathed. How did he do it? He stuck with the Lord, sink or swim. He swam. Peter followed afar off and failed.

John was known by the high priest and allowed to enter the palace. Peter did not go there. The girl at the door put him on the spot. He denied the Lord. He chose to go to the fire. They put him on the spot. He denied the Lord. A servant related to the man that Peter cut his ear off confronted him. He denied the Lord. Three times Peter was put on the spot and three times he denied the Lord. He failed the test.

You’ve been put on the spot and given the opportunity to witness for God. There was no time for backup. You’re on your own and on the spot.  Would you be a John? I’m afraid many times we’re like Peter. You’d think Peter would be the last to deny the Lord.  He was the one who said that Jesus was the Christ “the son of the living God.” Earlier that same day Peter declared he’d never forsake the Lord; he’d go to prison and death with him. Peter was a good witness in front of the Master.

Before we get on Peter for what he did, let’s look at ourselves. Are we not good witnesses at church in front of the Lord?  We have to be a good witness for the Lord. We all do it well at church and home. What happens when we’re alone? That’s what matters.  The spot we are in may not be malicious; we may just be asked for our opinion; you’re expected to give it. We all like to think we’re good at it when in truth we’re like Peter. Peter was the loudest, the one who stood up in front of Jesus, but he was also the loudest in his denial. The Lord knew the spot Peter would be in. He gave him a heads up. Peter wouldn’t accept it as a possibility.

The Lord knows our surprises. Wouldn’t it be nice if we knew them?  We don’t. We have to be prepared; we have to keep our axes sharpened. We have to settle things in our heart. The time will come. It will be like a random drug test. You have no time to cleanse. No matter what you tell them about your drugs, the test will tell the tale. Jesus observed Peter. He turned to him at his third denial. The Lord is near us as well. He’ll take care of us. He took care of John because he turned to him. He’ll not fail us either when we do the same.

When we are on the spot our answer will be spontaneous. It will show how much Bible we know and what kind of relationship we have with the Lord. The response is how we are-a John or a Peter. We stand on our own. Jesus said if we deny him, he’ll deny us. Just like the random drug test we can tell the Lord what all we’ve done but he’ll say “depart from me, I never knew you.”

The three times are important and instructive. It happens when we least expect it.  It won’t happen on a Monday when you’re pumped up from church on Sunday. It will be when you’re down or don’t feel well or sidetracked. It may be from someone you least expect. It could be a good friend. You’re asked for an opinion before others. It may be a question about the Bible or on the issues going on in the world. Peter was scared and embarrassed. The bold fellow was not so bold. Jesus showed Peter and shows us just how tough we are. We have to interpret our lives from a Biblical standpoint. Jesus is still here. Peter denied Jesus even though he was close enough for Jesus to hear him. Are we closer to John or Peter?

It’s not “if” you’re put on the spot, it’s “when.” What kind of job would you do? Would you be a good witness or a lousy one? This is grounds for praying.

Study this for next week.  There were three times, three circumstances: (1) The girl at the door; (2) the people around the fire; (3) the servant who saw him in the garden. Essentially the same things were said, but look at them. In a short time Peter was put on the spot three times. John succeeded. Peter failed.  Compare this writing with the other gospels. See what you find.