Following From A Distance
Scripture: Matthew 26:58, 75
"Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end...Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly."
Observations:
After deserting Jesus while He was being arrested, Peter got up the nerve to continue following Jesus, but this time privately from a distance. From a distance the demands of being associated with Jesus were not as costly as before. The Bible notes that from a distance Peter became merely a spectator who watched Jesus rather than one who walked through life with Him. Why? Because it's easier than risking everything for something that may or may not turn out the way He hoped. He had a lapse of faith as he "sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end." After all, why risk your life if you don't have to right?
Application:
Truth be told, all of us have had moments when we let our faith lapse like Peter and we're all at least tempted from time to time to follow Jesus from a distance and turn our relationship with Him into a spectator sport instead of an steadfast intimate friendship through thick and thin. If we only followed Jesus when things were good, what kind of friendship is that? If we are never forced to risk anything for Him, how committed are we really? Only 24 hours earlier Peter was ready to die for Jesus. What happened? Somewhere Peter's focus shifted from conforming to Jesus' life preserving his own as he was forced to answer those questions. While it may be less costly and "easier" to follow Jesus from a distance, the moment we begin to evaluate what's in it for us to determine whether or not we want to fully commit ourselves to following Christ, our faith is in danger of lapsing, causing us, like Peter, to deny Jesus. We must continually remind ourselves that the cost of following Jesus always demands whole-hearted committment and total death to anything that brings our loyalty to Him into question (Matthew 16:24-26). It's only as we keep Christ as the focus of our thoughts, decisions, and commitments that we remain conntected in intimate relationship with Him (John 15:1-5).
Prayer:
Father, forgive us for following You for only selfish reasons. We commit to ourselves to following Your will regardless of the cost involved. Help us not to be afraid to risk all we have in exchange for an intimate relationship with Christ. Keep us connected to You at all times and in every situation. Empty us of ourselves and help us surrender that which would hold us back from truly knowing You and living for You the way You desire us to. Amen.
"Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end...Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly."
Observations:
After deserting Jesus while He was being arrested, Peter got up the nerve to continue following Jesus, but this time privately from a distance. From a distance the demands of being associated with Jesus were not as costly as before. The Bible notes that from a distance Peter became merely a spectator who watched Jesus rather than one who walked through life with Him. Why? Because it's easier than risking everything for something that may or may not turn out the way He hoped. He had a lapse of faith as he "sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end." After all, why risk your life if you don't have to right?
Application:
Truth be told, all of us have had moments when we let our faith lapse like Peter and we're all at least tempted from time to time to follow Jesus from a distance and turn our relationship with Him into a spectator sport instead of an steadfast intimate friendship through thick and thin. If we only followed Jesus when things were good, what kind of friendship is that? If we are never forced to risk anything for Him, how committed are we really? Only 24 hours earlier Peter was ready to die for Jesus. What happened? Somewhere Peter's focus shifted from conforming to Jesus' life preserving his own as he was forced to answer those questions. While it may be less costly and "easier" to follow Jesus from a distance, the moment we begin to evaluate what's in it for us to determine whether or not we want to fully commit ourselves to following Christ, our faith is in danger of lapsing, causing us, like Peter, to deny Jesus. We must continually remind ourselves that the cost of following Jesus always demands whole-hearted committment and total death to anything that brings our loyalty to Him into question (Matthew 16:24-26). It's only as we keep Christ as the focus of our thoughts, decisions, and commitments that we remain conntected in intimate relationship with Him (John 15:1-5).
Prayer:
Father, forgive us for following You for only selfish reasons. We commit to ourselves to following Your will regardless of the cost involved. Help us not to be afraid to risk all we have in exchange for an intimate relationship with Christ. Keep us connected to You at all times and in every situation. Empty us of ourselves and help us surrender that which would hold us back from truly knowing You and living for You the way You desire us to. Amen.
3rd attempt: I agree with that Peter was following at a distance, but I have a different take on the why! In Gethsemane, John 18:11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?", at which time Peter complied. Peter was being obedient to Jesus, and followed at a distance to keep as close as possible, even to the extend Peter denied Jesus 3 times. But I do not believe he ever waviered in his love or loyality.
ReplyDeleteBillyD