What To Do With An Open Door

“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.” (Joh 18:16 AV)

 

Sometimes, we need someone who has an inside track to get us closer to Jesus.  I know, we are going to spiritualize this verse this morning.  But you can adjust.  The other disciple was John.  He was related to the high priest and was allowed admittance into the courts.  His relationship to the high priest helps us to understand why he, of all the disciples, was spared execution and sent to an island for imprisonment.  This John has access to wherever the high priest resided.  This is why he was on the inside and Peter stood without.  Two points could be made this morning.  The first is utilizing an opportunity provided by someone who seems to be more intimately involved with the LORD as an invitation to do the same.  The second is far more pertinent.  Given that opportunity, what will you do with it?  Peter was granted access to the presence of all the proceedings.  Yet he used his close proximity to the Savior as an opportunity to deny Him rather than support Him.  Given the opportunity to walk more intimately with Christ, how will we use it?

When we stop and think of Peter’s shame, the magnitude of it might escape the mind.  It would be one thing to deny the LORD in passing.  Quite another to do so when given the express opportunity to support Him.  This is what made the denial all the more difficult to bear.  Lest we beat up on Peter too much, Peter did repent of it.  He did feel shame.  He did come away with a deeper sense of commitment.  And outside of Paul, Peter produced more for the ministry than any other Apostle.  Peter more than made up for his failure.  So, there is always hope.  If we want to be closer to Jesus and have put ourselves in the position of getting closer, there is always someone there to open the door.  It might be a pastor.  It might be a good friend.  It might be an author.  It might be a relative.  There will always be someone in the place we want to be to show us how to get there.  Wanting access is the beginning.  Peter stood without.  He didn’t scatter like all the others.  He followed behind because he wanted to get closer.  He simply did not realize the cost of getting closer.  There stood John.  One who knew the way to pull Peter in.  He was in.  He was close.  What was he going to do?  When asked if he was a disciple, he denied it three times.  This would be hard to do seeing as he was the one who drew his sword and cut off Caiaphas’ servant’s ear.  People would remember him.  Peter had to cease to be who he was in order to deny Christ.  He got close and he blew it.

These opportunities do not happen often.  And, they only happen in proportion as we use them.  If the preacher shows us how to be more intimate with God and we do not take it, there may never be another revelation.  If we do take his advice, there will follow more opportunities.  As we respond to one door, another awaits.  The question remains.  Given the keys to more intimacy with God, how will we use them?  Will we stand up for Jesus, or will we deny Him?  Will we please the flesh by staying by the fire?  Or, will we proceed into the judgment all with Christ and stand by His side?  Will we cower at the opinions of others, or will we throw caution to the wind and go all in with Jesus?  The door is open.  What will you do?