Following right on from yesterday’s post about Peter, another fascinating nugget at the point of Peter’s denial is that he wasn’t the only disciple there at the High Priest’s courtyard.

In John’s gospel the picture is broadened:

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, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

Considering that this is John’s gospel, it is most likely that it is John himself who is the other disciple.

There’s not much detail given about John’s experience that night. In fact, other than these brief mentions here above, there is nothing. We can only imagine what John experienced witnessing Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin.

It would have been traumatic to watch his friend and teacher being questioned and struck in the face, and, ultimately, crucified.

Yet isn’t it wonderful that John was there?

This gives us an account of the proceedings that night from an eyewitness. God allowed him to be there, to have that connection, so that the events could be recorded from a reliable witness.

God went ahead of the situation in so many ways, to ensure that the truth prevailed and that his people had a sound record of the events that transpired over that night.

We don’t know what exactly happened to John, but thanks to John, we know exactly what happened to Jesus.

And we can now pass on the message, just as John did in the first place.

Yours giving thanks,

Alison