When Peter went to his trial, he was taken unawares.
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, …. Peter followed him at a distance, … He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
Matthew 26:57-58
Peter went “to see the outcome”, to observe, not participate. When I adopt an observer mindset, I resist being drawn in. Then a test comes seemingly out of nowhere. I fail to take responsibility and am taken unawares into a betrayal.
… a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Matthew 26:69-70
Jesus went into his trial ready to be a responsible participant, though for the most part he was silent.
“This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” … But Jesus remained silent.
Matthew 26:61-63
He would not be drawn into frivolous arguments. But at the right moment he intervened.
The high priest said to him, “… Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” … Jesus replied “… From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 26:63-64
The leaders thought they were trying Jesus. They were taken unawares when he presented just the right words to test their hearts.
How do we adopt a mindset that is ready to be tested?