John 18.16-17 records, Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” “I am not.” he said.”

One of the great tragedies in the New Testament is the story of Peter denying Jesus. He loved Jesus but he loved the approval of men more, at least at this time. How often we are the same. Yet perhaps John was different.

The other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, spoke to the servant who brought Peter his first exposure to denial. Yet her question asks if Peter is also a disciple. The also means another disciple was known to her. Could it have been John? Most likely. John is identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

I wonder if John loved Jesus more than Peter loved Jesus. It was this love for Jesus that kept John loyal while Peter denied Him. Later Jesus will confirm Peter’s love for Him that will keep Peter from ever denying Jesus again.

This is the need of the hour for all of us. Our love for Jesus must grow so deep and wide that we are unashamed to identify with Him. Love for Jesus must become greater than our love for the approval of men or our fear of what men might do to us.