Luke records a stark contrast between the commitment of two leaders, Jesus Christ and Simon Peter. While Jesus remained resolutely committed to His cause and His people in the face of betrayal and rejection, Simon Peter ran away. Although the big fisherman claimed he would never deny his Master, he did so three times before the night ended.
While Peter emphatically denied Christ around a little courtyard fire, that moment merely expressed the condition of his heart. His commitment level had already drained away in the Garden of Gethsemane. There, he felt helpless, powerless to maintain the promise he had made (Matt. 26:35).
When our commitment drains away, we follow the same progression as Peter:
Stage 1: His following became distant. "Peter followed at a distance" (Luke 22:54). This is not what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 16:24). This is not what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 16:24. Peter is still following Christ, but incognito. He's no longer ready to die.
Stage 2: His fellowship became divided. "Peter sat among them" (22:55). Now the guilty disciple is mixing with an uncommitted crowd. He's a man without a country. He's torn between the apathetic and the committed.
Stage 3: His faith became deluded. "But he denied Him, saying, 'Woman, I do not know Him'" (22:57). His words now reveal his weakness, even among men and women who pose no immediate threat to him.
Stage 4: His fervor became denial. "But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are saying!'" (22:60). Peter rejects any association with Jesus. His words no longer display apathy, but rejection.
Levels of Commitment
Jesus always related to people at the level of commitment they were ready to make. Note the four levels of commitment in Jesus' disciples:
Level One: Come and See
This is the level of curiosity (see John 1:35-51). At this stage, Jesus' interaction is light and easy. When people are here, look for chemistry and faithfulness.
Level Two: Come and Follow
This is the level of commitment (see Luke 5:1-11). Jesus' words now call for some commitment. The person is ready to be challenged. Look for hunger and teachability.
Level Three: Come and Surrender
This is the conviction level (see Mark 8:34,35). This step is appropriate only after a deep relationship and mutual trust have developed. Look for initiative and determination.
Level Four: Come and Multiply
This is the commissioned level (see Matt. 28:19,20). Here, Jesus calls His men to reproduce what He did with them. Look for leadership and people skills.
Great tips from John Maxwell for understanding the different stages and levels. This helps evaluate your relationships and how to improve them.
Luke 22:54-62
Peter Disowns Jesus
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”
57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
58 A little later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.