John 18 recounts Jesus' arrest. He has been in the garden praying, and Judas shows up with those who will arrest Jesus. Minister Aaron Hill points out that during the first twenty-seven verses of this chapter, Jesus affirms who He is, not by saying, "I'm Jesus," but by declaring "I AM." 

While Jesus affirms His identity, Peter denies, or abandons, Jesus three times. Though he had declared he would stand by Christ even if he had to die, he denies even knowing who Jesus is. In the garden he raises his sword against Malchus because he doesn't understand that this is not a physical fight. Peter wants to go down fighting, but Jesus says no. 

When Jesus was under pressure, He affirmed His identity. When Peter came under pressure, he struck out at a perceived enemy.  When responding physically was not possible, he denied any knowledge of the Lord. 

When we are under pressure, will we affirm or abandon? Do we even get to the point of pressure before we abandon? What is our response? Peter did abandon Jesus, but he didn't stay there! He turned back to Jesus. He grew, but he didn't grow in his own strength. He grew because of Jesus.