20250305 [새벽묵상] 인간의 연약함과 예수님의 신실하심 | Human Weakness and the Faithfulness of Jesus (요/Jhn 18:15~27)

18:15 시몬 베드로와 또 다른 제자 한 사람이 예수를 따르니 이 제자는 대제사장과 아는 사람이라 예수와 함께 대제사장의 집 뜰에 들어가고

18:16 베드로는 문 밖에 서 있는지라 대제사장을 아는 그 다른 제자가 나가서 문 지키는 여자에게 말하여 베드로를 데리고 들어오니

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

18:17 문 지키는 여종이 베드로에게 말하되 너도 이 사람의 제자 중 하나가 아니냐 하니 그가 말하되 나는 아니라 하고

17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

18:18 그 때가 추운 고로 종과 아랫사람들이 불을 피우고 서서 쬐니 베드로도 함께 서서 쬐더라

18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

18:19 대제사장이 예수에게 그의 제자들과 그의 교훈에 대하여 물으니

19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

18:20 예수께서 대답하시되 내가 드러내 놓고 세상에 말하였노라 모든 유대인들이 모이는 회당과 성전에서 항상 가르쳤고 은밀하게는 아무 것도 말하지 아니하였거늘

18:21 어찌하여 내게 묻느냐 내가 무슨 말을 하였는지 들은 자들에게 물어 보라 그들이 내가 하던 말을 아느니라

20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

18:22 이 말씀을 하시매 곁에 섰던 아랫사람 하나가 손으로 예수를 쳐 이르되 네가 대제사장에게 이같이 대답하느냐 하니

22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

18:23 예수께서 대답하시되 내가 말을 잘못하였으면 그 잘못한 것을 증언하라 잘하였으면 네가 어찌하여 나를 치느냐 하시더라

18:24 안나스가 예수를 결박한 그대로 대제사장 가야바에게 보내니라

23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

18:25 시몬 베드로가 서서 불을 쬐더니 사람들이 묻되 너도 그 제자 중 하나가 아니냐 베드로가 부인하여 이르되 나는 아니라 하니

25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

18:26 대제사장의 종 하나는 베드로에게 귀를 잘린 사람의 친척이라 이르되 네가 그 사람과 함께 동산에 있던 것을 내가 보지 아니하였느냐

18:27 이에 베드로가 또 부인하니 곧 닭이 울더라

26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

                  어제 우리는 하나님 아버지의 뜻을 위해 기꺼이 순종하시는 예수님에 대해 말씀을 나누었습니다. 그 당할 일을 다 아시고도 유다가 알고 있던 겟세마네 동산에 제자들과 함께 들어가셨던 예수님. 무장된 군인들과 종교 지도자들 앞에서 자신을 스스로 밝히셨던 주님. 칼을 빼든 베드로를 말리시며 순순히 결박되어 대제사장 가야바의 장인이었던 안나스에게로 끌려가셨던 예수님. 이러한 예수님의 모습은 오늘 말씀에서도 동일하게 당당하시고 또 신실하십니다. 그러나 오늘 말씀에서 나타난 인간의 모습은 그런 예수님의 모습과는 거리가 있는 것 같습니다. 베드로는 예수님을 세 번 부인하고. 안나스는 예수님을 개인의 집에서 사적으로 심문하며. 경비병은 부당한 폭력을 예수님께 행하지요. 그러나 예수님은 이런 인간의 연약함에도 불구하고 인간을 보호하시고 또 그 모든 부당한 폭력을 수용하셔서 십자가에 못박혀 돌아가십니다. 그로 말미암아 또다시 하나님의 뜻. 하나님의 말씀을 성취하십니다. 오늘은 이런 인간의 연약함과 예수님의 신실하심에 대해서 말씀을 나누기 원합니다.

Yesterday, we reflected on Jesus' willingness to obey the will of God the Father. Even though He knew everything that was about to happen, He still went with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas knew He would be. He willingly revealed Himself before the armed soldiers and religious leaders. When Peter drew his sword, Jesus stopped him and willingly allowed Himself to be arrested and taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest.

In today’s passage, we continue to see Jesus’ unwavering faithfulness. However, in contrast, we also witness human weakness. Peter denies Jesus three times, Annas conducts an unlawful private interrogation, and the guards unjustly strike Jesus. Yet, despite all of this, Jesus remains steadfast, protecting His people and enduring injustice, ultimately going to the cross to fulfill God’s will and His Word. Today, I want us to meditate on both human weakness and Jesus’ faithfulness.

                  먼저 오늘 말씀에 나타난 인간의 모습을 함께 알아보기 원합니다. 오늘 말씀에는 제법 많은 사람이 등장합니다. 그 중 핵심 인물은 바로 베드로이죠. 예수님께서 전직 대제사장 안나스의 집에 끌려가시자 다른 제자들은 모두 흩어졌는데 15절을 보니 이렇게 말하고 있습니다. “시몬 베드로와 또 다른 제자 한 사람이 예수를 따르니.” 모든 제자 중에 오직 이 두 사람만이 나름대로 의리가 있었던 것이 아닌가 싶습니다. 특히 이 둘 중에 “이 제자는 대제사장과 아는 사람이라 예수와 함께 대제사장의 집 뜰에 들어가고.” 이 또 다른 제자라는 사람은 대제사장과 연줄이 있었죠. 그렇게 생각한다면 아무런 연줄도 없이 예수님을 따라 대제사장의 집까지 따라온 베드로의 의리를 더 높이 평가할 수 있지 않을까 싶습니다. 16절을 보니 베드로는 문 밖에 서 있어요. 다른 제자가 문지키는 여종에게 말해서 데리고 들어옵니다. 바로 그 때, 그냥 문만 열어주면 되는데 꼭 한마디 물어보죠. 17절입니다. “문 지키는 여종이 베드로에게 말하되 너도 이 사람의 제자 중 하나가 아니냐” 원문에서 이 질문은 ‘아니’라는 부정의 대답을 예상하고 하는 질문입니다. 우리식으로 조금 바꿔보면 이런 식이지요. “너도 이 사람의 제자 중 하나는 아니겠지? 그치?” 그러면 뭐라고 대답합니까? “에이, 아니지” 그쵸? 이렇게 부정의 대답을 예상하는 여종의 질문에 예상대로 베드로는 “나는 아니라”라고 대답을 하지요. 방금 전까지 의리있던 베드로였는데 아무런 힘도 없는 그저 문지키는 여종에게 “나는 아니라” 라고 부인하고 있습니다. 한 밤 중에 자신을 찾는 무장한 군대 앞에서 “내가 그다”라고 대답하신 예수님의 모습과는 매우 대조되는 모습입니다. 하지만 어쩌면 예수님이 계신 대제사장의 집 뜰에 들어가기 위해 어쩔수 없이 해야만 했던 하얀 거짓말일 수도 있습니다.

1. The Weakness of Man

Let’s first examine the human responses in today’s passage. Many individuals appear in this story, but Peter is the key figure. When Jesus was taken to Annas, most of the disciples scattered. However, verse 15 tells us:"Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus." (John 18:15, NIV)

Out of all the disciples, only these two followed Jesus. This suggests that they had some degree of loyalty. The other disciple was known to the high priest and was able to enter the courtyard with Jesus. Given this, Peter’s loyalty seems even more commendable since he followed without any connections to the high priest.

Verse 16 describes how Peter had to wait outside until the other disciple spoke to the servant girl at the door to let him in. Then, in verse 17, the servant girl asks Peter:"You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?" (John 18:17, NIV)

The original Greek suggests that the question expects a negative answer. In today’s language, it would be something like, “You’re not one of His disciples, are you?” How does Peter respond? “I am not.”

Just moments ago, Peter was willing to fight for Jesus with a sword. But now, he denies Jesus to a mere servant girl. His response is starkly different from Jesus’ bold confession earlier in the chapter:"I am he." (John 18:6, NIV)

Perhaps Peter thought it was just a small lie to gain entry into the courtyard. However, his denial didn’t end there.

                  베드로의 첫번째 부인 후 안나스가 예수님을 심문하고 난 뒤 예수님을 대제사장 가야바에게 보낼 때에 다시 이야기가 베드로에게로 집중됩니다. 이제는 함께 불을 쬐던 사람들이 베드로에게 묻습니다. 이번에도 마찬가지의 질문을 합니다. “너도 이 사람의 제자 중 하나는 아니겠지?” 아까는 예수님이 끌려가신 뜰에 잠입을 하기 위해서라고 핑계를 댈 수 있지만 이번에는 그럴수도 없습니다. 그러나 베드로는 지난번처럼 이 질문에 바로 “나는 아니라”라고 대답합니다. 베드로의 두번째 부인입니다. 그러자 26절에 이번에는 다른 종류의 질문이 들어옵니다. 베드로에게 귀를 잘린 사람, 마고의 친척이 베드로에게 묻습니다. “네가 그 사람과 함께 동산에 있는 것을 내가 보지 아니하였느냐?” 앞에 두 번처럼 “아니라” 라는 대답을 기대하는 질문이 아닙니다. 이 질문은 긍정적인 대답을 전제한 질문입니다. 이 질문은 목격자가 베드로가 바로 그 사람이라는 확신을 가지고 “너 맞지?” 라고 확인하는 질문입니다. 27절에 보니 베드로는 다시 부인했습니다. 이로써 베드로는 예수님을 변명할 여지 없이 완전히 부인하였습니다. 그리고 닭이 울었습니다. 모든 공관복음에서는 이 때에 베드로가 통곡하였다, 슬피 울었다고 전하고 있습니다. 예수님의 수제자였던 베드로. 예수님을 위해서 목숨을 내어 놓겠다고 고백했던 베드로. 예수님이 잡히실 때에 칼을 들어 결사항전하던 베드로. 예수님이 잡혀가시자 위험을 무릅쓰고 대제사장 집의 뜰에 잠입했던 베드로. 그런 그조차도 인간의 연약함을 벗을 수는 없었습니다. 이렇듯 우리는 일어선듯 하여도 쉽게 넘어지는 연약한 존재인 것입니다.

After Annas finished questioning Jesus, He was sent to Caiaphas. Meanwhile, the focus shifts back to Peter. Standing by a fire, he is asked again:"You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?" (John 18:25, NIV)

This time, Peter had no excuse—he was no longer trying to enter the courtyard. Yet, he again denied it: “I am not.”

Then, in verse 26, a relative of Malchus—the man whose ear Peter had cut off—confronts him:"Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?" (John 18:26, NIV)

Unlike the previous questions, this one assumes a positive answer. This man saw Peter with Jesus and was certain of it. Yet, in verse 27, Peter denies it once more. Immediately, a rooster crowed.

At this moment, according to the other Gospels, Peter wept bitterly. This was the same Peter who had promised to lay down his life for Jesus. The same Peter who had drawn his sword to defend Jesus. The same Peter who had followed Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. Yet, even he could not escape human weakness.

We, too, are weak. Even when we think we are strong, we fall. Even when we believe we are standing firm, we stumble.

                  그렇다면 오늘 말씀의 예수님은 어떠십니까? 19절에 보니 “대제사장이 예수에게 그의 제자들과 그의 교훈에 대하여 물으니”라고 합니다. 그가 먼저 물어본 것이 예수님의 제자에 관한 것이었습니다. 아마 그가 진짜 알고 싶어 했던 것은 예수님의 가르침이 아니라 예수님의 세력이 얼마나 크고 얼마나 많은 추종자를 거느렸는가 하는 점이었던 것 같습니다. 이 첫번째 질문을 가지고 제자들을 뿌리채 뽑으려는 것이 아닌가 싶습니다. 두번째 질문인 교훈은 예수님의 말 실수를 잡아 누명을 씌우려는 의도가 다분해 보이지요. 이 두가지 질문에 예수님께서는 20절에서 당신은 언제나 공개적으로 가르치셨기에 21절 “내가 무슨 말을 하였는지 들은 자들에게 물어보라 그들이 내가 하던 말을 아느니라”라고 대답하십니다. 이 대답은 마치 두번째 질문인 예수님의 교훈에 대한 답변처럼 보입니다. 그러나 자세히 보면 예수님께서 제자의 범위를 희석시키신 것을 볼 수 있습니다. 예수님께서 공개적으로 가르치신 것을 들은 모두가 제자이니 그들에게 물어보라라고 하신 것입니다. 이는 예수님께서 예수님을 떠나 흩어져있는 제자들과 이제 곧 당신을 배신할 베드로를 보호하시는 것이지요. 이처럼 예수님께서는 제자들의 연약함에도 불구하고 신실하심으로 그들을 보호하시는 것입니다.

2. The Faithfulness of Jesus

Now, let’s look at Jesus in this passage. In verse 19, the high priest questions Jesus about His disciples and His teaching:"Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching." (John 18:19, NIV)

It seems that Annas was less interested in Jesus' teaching and more concerned with the number of His followers. He likely wanted to root out Jesus' disciples completely. The second question about Jesus’ teaching appears to be a trap, attempting to catch Him in His words.

However, Jesus answers in verse 20:"I have spoken openly to the world… I said nothing in secret." (John 18:20, NIV)

Then in verse 21, He continues:"Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." (John 18:21, NIV)

At first glance, this response seems to only address the second question about His teaching. But if we look closer, we see that Jesus is also protecting His disciples. By emphasizing that He taught publicly, He diffuses the focus on His disciples, preventing further harm from coming to them.

                  예수님께서 이 말씀을 하시자 22절에 보니 경비병 하나가 손으로 예수님의 얼굴을 때리지요. 어디 대제사장에게 이같이 대답하느냐? 라는 것입니다. 그러자 23절에서 예수님께서 이렇게 대답하십니다. “내가 말을 잘못하였으면 그 잘못한 것을 증언하라 바른 말을 하였으면 네가 어찌하여 나를 치느냐?” 예수님께서 이렇게 말씀하신 것은 맞은 것이 억울해서가 아닙니다. 예수님께서 이 말씀을 하시는 이유는 지금 예수님께 행해지고 있는 폭력이 모두 부당한 폭력임을 지적하기 위함입니다. 먼저 안나스는 대제사장이 아닙니다. 전 대제사장으로 현 대제사장의 장인입니다. 그에게는 예수님을 심문할 권리가 없습니다. 지금 그가 하고 있는 것은 한 밤에 개인의 집 뜰에서 절차에 대한 사전 고지도 없이 사람을 끌고 와서 사적으로 심문을 하고 있는 것입니다. 그래서 자신이 원하는 대답이 나오지 않자 24절에 대제사장 가야바에게 보내지 않습니까? 이것이 적법한 재판이나 심문이었다면 예수님께서 말씀을 잘못하셨다면 그 잘못한 말에 대해 이의를 제기하고 증인을 세우면 될 일입니다. 바른 말을 하였다고 폭력을 행사한다니 부당하기 그지 없지요. 하물며 지극히 높으신 하나님의 아들이신 예수님께 현 대제사장도아닌 전임자에게 말버릇이 그게 무어냐고 얼굴을 때리다니요. 이런 부당함을 예수님께서는 대체 왜 견디고 계신 것입니까? 바로 이런 연약한 인간을, 부당한 인간들을 신실하게 사랑하시기 때문입니다. 예수님은 우리의 모든 연약함을 잘 아십니다. 그래서 우리를 대신하여 이 모든 부당한 폭력을 죽기까지 받으시고 우리를 향한 당신의 신실하심을 십자가로 보여주셨습니다.

Jesus remains faithful, even when His disciples are weak.

Then, in verse 22, one of the guards strikes Jesus, saying:"Is this the way you answer the high priest?" (John 18:22, NIV)

Jesus replies in verse 23:"If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" (John 18:23, NIV)

Jesus is not complaining about being hit. He is exposing the injustice of the situation. Annas had no legal right to interrogate Jesus. He was the former high priest, not the current one. Yet, in the middle of the night, in a private residence, without due process, he was conducting an unlawful interrogation.

Jesus highlights this injustice, but He does not resist it. Why? Because He came to bear the sin and suffering of humanity.

He endured this abuse because He loves even those who betrayed Him, denied Him, and struck Him. He took on the full weight of human weakness and sin, ultimately going to the cross to demonstrate His unwavering faithfulness.

                  말씀을 맺습니다. 우리는 연약합니다. 때로 선 것 같고 강해진 것 같지만 늘 넘어지고 무너지는 것이 일상입니다. 예수님의 수제자였던 베드로마저 예수님을 세번이나 부인합니다. 우리에게는 희망이 없어보입니다. 그러나 예수님께서는 신실하십니다. 이렇게 연약한 우리를 보호하십니다. 당신을 떠나고 배반한 제자들까지도 보호하셨습니다. 당신의 신실한 사랑으로 우리를 위해 부당한 폭력을 십자가에서 죽기까지 감당하셨습니다. 우리의 연약함에도 불구하고 예수님은 늘 신실하십니다. 우리는 연약하지만 예수님은 늘 신실하시기에 우리에게 소망이 있습니다. 기도하시겠습니다.

Conclusion

We are weak. Even when we feel strong, we often fail. Even Peter, Jesus' most devoted disciple, denied Him three times. On our own, we have no hope.

But Jesus is faithful. He protects us, even in our weakness. He endured suffering on our behalf. He remained faithful to the cross so that we could have hope.

No matter how weak we are, Jesus remains faithful. That is our hope.

Let us pray.