Now What?

Every person has faced moments when they had to stop and ask an important question. “Now what?” Some people are reactionary, and others think things through for a while. There are empathetic folks and those who seem to not care as much. Typically, that “now what” question is asked during a crisis or crossroads. For Jesus, the disciples, and leaders in Jerusalem, it was both. Jesus had just been betrayed and arrested. The story in John 18 continues.

With Jesus being bound and taken to Annas as part of an excruciating journey, we find Peter and another disciple (likely John) following Jesus (15). It is not clear what they had in mind to do. Surely Peter was done using his sword. The other disciple had an opportunity to see what was going on at the courtyard of the high priest. Peter and he had to be wondering “now what?” What was going to happen to the one they had followed for three years? What were they to do? Was there anything they could do? And they were no doubt thinking about how Jesus was.

Eventually Peter got in because of the other disciple and the girl on duty. For his sake, it would have been better if he didn’t get in. He was soon confronted. When asked if he was a disciple of Jesus he plainly stated, “I am not” (17). This was not only denying Jesus but also lying to the girl at the door. We may assume there was no way for Peter to anticipate that question. His quick reaction reflected the fact that he didn’t have time to think about it. The safe answer seemed to be to say that he did not know the one he had recently stated that he would lay down his life for.

Because it was cold, Peter found himself with a mixed crowd trying to keep himself warm. Meanwhile, Jesus was certainly in the hot seat. He was basically being questioned about his activities and his teaching. As Jesus sought to defend himself, he pointed out that he did nothing secretively. They had plenty of time to gather information on his mission and message. “Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said” (21). This strong, true statement quickly brought them to a “now what” point. To the official near him the answer seemed easy. Violence. Jesus was struck in the face (22). Annas seemed satisfied with how Jesus responded to the blow. Jesus spoke the truth and wondered why he was struck. They kept him bound and sent him to Caiaphas the high priest (24). Now what?

As we return to the fire, we find that Simon Peter is staying warm but not changing his answer. Some random person asked if he was one of the disciples. His answer was the same. “I am not” (25). We can assume that at least a few minutes had passed since he was asked about his affiliation with Jesus previously. He had a little time to think this time around. Perhaps because he feared for his life, Peter denies Jesus again. It could be considered merciful that Jesus didn’t witness this even though he predicted it. It would be easier to understand Peter’s negative response were it not for his strong stand for Jesus not long before.

Then came a challenge from a relative of the man who lost his ear at Peter’s hand. He was also a servant of the high priest. In this case, he indicated that he was there in the olive grove. Queue the rooster. Immediately after the third denial the rooster crowed. It must have been a haunting sound for Peter to hear. There is no denying that Jesus was right in knowing what Peter would do and yet we also know that he would get a second chance. Making the wrong choice at the crossroad doesn’t always spell ultimate disaster.

At this point, Jesus had been awake all night. The text states it was now “early morning” (28). If you ever have had a bad night of sleep or no sleep, you know how your body feels and how your mind operates. Jesus knew he was approaching death but for this grueling, humiliating, painful process to be a part of it was cruel. Now what would he be facing?

He was in the palace of the Roman governor Pilate. The Prince of Peace who left the glories of heaven was now in an earthly palace and about to be questioned again, reluctantly. Pilate thought the Jews should charge him since he committed no Roman crimes. Of course, he did not break any Jewish laws either. For the Jewish rulers to stone Jesus would have been very unpopular because he was well regarded by so many. If they could pass the proverbial shekel to the Romans, then Jesus would indeed be hung on a tree as he predicted (31-32). Powerful Pilate was facing the “now what” question. What was he to do with this Jew who had a large following and even rendered to Caesar what was Caesar’s. He had an interesting question for Jesus. “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus and Pilate had some interesting dialogue about that question. Keep in mind Jesus had not slept all night. Yet here he was with incredible replies that would not incriminate himself nor deny who he was. “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (37). “What is truth?” Pilate asked. People continue to wrestle with that question to this day. Pilate wondered “now what?” and decided to put it into the hands of the Jewish people since he found Jesus to be innocent. But the king of the Jews was not released. Barabbas was. Now what?