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. 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. 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. 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. (John 18:15-18, K J V)
"Though all the disciples, without exception, forsook Jesus at the moment of His apprehension, two of them soon recovered their courage sufficiently to return from flight, and follow after their Master as He was being led away to judgment. One of these was Simon Peter, ever original both in good and evil, who, we are told, followed Jesus "afar off unto the high priests palace, to see, the end. The other, according to general, and we think correct, opinion of interpreters, was John." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 480.
The two disciples, who are very different in character seemed to have a good relationship with each other. One was very loving and compassionate (John), the other less than compassionate and quick to rise to violence (Peter). In many passages throughout the New Testament, we find the two with each other. When Jesus announced the traitor at the table, Peter asked for a sign of who it was. Three separate times from this, we see them interlocked together; They ran together to the tomb on resurrection morning, they talked together about who the stranger was at the seaside when they were out fishing early one morning, and both followed Jesus; one by command (Peter) and the other by love (John). Finally, the two entered in to the temple at the time of prayer to heal a man, and later were indicted by the tribunal, only to be released again.
Somehow, through all this the two remained friends. But the two were fitted together for God's purpose. The two were compliments of each other; Peter was masculine in attitude, while John feminine in temperament; Peter was a man of action sometimes never even thinking, John a man of though and feelings. Peter was a born leader, John a servant. Peter was the typical hero; John the admirer of the hero (Bruce, pp. 482).
Today, has God fitted someone into your life who is a compliment to yours? I ask you to consider who it might be who is fitted into your life for God's compliment. Each one of us has someone we can either draw our strengths from, while others like me can use a little wisdom in the process. Which one are you today? Are you a Peter or a John?
In my life, God has sent me a John. He is my best friend Roselle. He is the compliment I need for balance. Without his input, at times I would be willing to take on everything without considering the big picture. Don't get me wrong, he can physically work circles around me and anyone around him, but he has that quite loving spirit that I have never had. He sets a pace and sticks to it. Me; I'm a blowing torch, sometime only to blow out too early...
He is my source of encouragement when I get things wrong and regret them. He is the source of perspective when I need it. He is also the one who shows me the love of God when I've blown it much like Peter when he blew it and walked away feeling as if he would never be forgiven. He felt humiliated, but his Lord restored him. That's what my best friend does. He lets me know that God can and will restore me when I ask for forgiveness and use me again for His Kingdom!
Do you see the value of people in your life which God puts there? I am. And I am grateful...
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