Waiting

Luke 22:54-71 tells a more or less abridged version of the tale after Jesus' arrest. Without the exact time being specified, it is important that we keep the timeline in mind as we study these verses.

The timeline, in its simplest form, goes like this: the last supper, the trip to the garden, prayer, betrayal, journey to the waiting place, the waiting, the trial. A keen mind may somewhat deduce the approximate time needed for many of these actions. For instance, knowing the approximate location of the garden and the approximate destination after the arrest, one may arrive at a general walking distance between the two.

Even as an old man, I am able to walk three miles in forty-five minutes. The 1.5-mile hike between Bethany and the old Jerusalem would have been a mere fifteen-minute trek. “The hill east of Herod's Palace was known as the Upper City on Mount Zion. During Herod's reign and in the first century, the Upper City, once more inhabited, was the residential quarter of the Jerusalem aristocracy and priestly families.” We get that from Bible History Online.

The walk from the arrest site to the residential quarters of the upper city was not that far. If the arrest took place before midnight and the elders gathered as soon as it was day, as we are told in verse 66, then, the waiting by the fire in the midst of the hall took up most of the timeline in the Luke account.

Some sources go on about Jesus being first brought to Annas, then to his son-in-law, Caiaphas. In all likelihood, the whole priestly family of Annas lived in the same residential complex. Wikipedia says this about Annas: “Annas officially served as High Priest for ten years (6–15 A.D.), when at the age of 36 he was deposed by the procurator Gratus. Yet while having been officially removed from office, he remained as one of the nation's most influential political and social individuals, aided greatly by the use of his five sons and his son-in-law Caiaphas as puppet High Priests.”

Some sources, some based on certain scriptural references, go on about an illegal night trial. The account in Luke may be the more accurate account – at least by my estimation. Waiting by the fire in the midst of the hall has a more realistic feel. While the chief priests were present at the arrest, the big shots, Annas and Caiaphas, were at home asleep, having delegated all unwanted chores to the lesser dignitaries. Waiting for daylight in the hall of the residential complex shows an appropriate respect to high rank.

So, they light a fire in the hall and just sit quietly and wait. The maids and other servants were grumpy from unexpected extra duty insomuch that one of the maids accused Peter of being Peter. One has to realize that all of the apostles were as daily visible as was Jesus. Peter was just as well known; his face just as familiar. It was Peter that cut off the ear of some poor joker, upon which incident, Jesus promptly healed it. It was no small thing. Somewhere in the hall of the priestly residential complex, there sat around the fire a man who touched his ear and thought, 'Wow!' It begs the question of just how long Peter sat among them before someone said something.

Had Peter tried to disguise himself or did he just sort of sneak in? According to his own claim, he was prepared to follow Jesus into prison and to death. Had he walked boldly in? That Peter originally followed “afar off” does not mean that he totally abandoned his resolve to follow Jesus to the very end. Yet, in the end, that is exactly what he did. He sat in the same gathering in which Jesus sat; they could see each other. Jesus heard every denial.

At last, Jesus turned and looked Peter in the eye. How might we imagine that exchange? Did Jesus tilt his head in sadness? Did he cock an eyebrow? Was there a message in the eye contact? 'I told you. Maybe now you'll believe me.'

Peter left. Why did no one pursue? They recognized him. Maybe the disciples were not important enough to deal with just then – they could be rounded up later. What about the guy with the ear? Surely he had a grudge.

It was as the night wore on that things began to click. At first, it was a waiting game. Then, one by one, the chief priests, the elders, and the captains of the temple decided they would retire until daylight, try to get a little sleep before the trial.

It was in the latter hours, and possibly due to boredom from the long wait, that Jesus' captors began to torment and mock him. Perhaps even the servants had gone back to bed. There were no witnesses. So who recounted the tale? Was it the guy who had a new ear – a new respect for the man. Perhaps Jesus looked him in the eye also. 'Yes, I healed you. I just picked your ear up from the ground and put it back in place. Remember your ear.' I cannot imagine that man as a willing participant in the mocking of Jesus.

Jesus looked at Peter, and Peter was moved. Jesus perhaps looked at the man with the new ear and perhaps he was moved. Peter felt shame and helpless remorse. Perhaps the man with the healed ear felt awe. Jesus alone knew what he was doing. Everyone else was just sort of hanging out. Now Jesus is looking at you. What do you feel?