Following at a Distance...

Luke 22:54

Then seizing Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.

As we go back to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, lets use a magnifying glass to look closer at the lessons and how they relate to us today in everyday life.

In your Christian walk, have you ever felt like a total failure? Have you ever played it safe, when you should have spoken up? Have you found yourself following Jesus at a distance so that you can fit in with the people around you?

I know I have - and still do if I'm not careful. In fact, I used to have 2 personalities for my 2 sets of friends: my Bible study friends and my other friends. I just wanted to fit in. Can you relate? There are times that I wonder how God can even use a failure such as myself.


Well, just like me, Peter was a failure too. He had almost provoked a riot in the Garden by cutting off the ear of the Roman soldier. And when his best friend, Jesus, needed him most, he denied even knowing Him - three different times! Now keep in mind, Peter was a man who had sworn 'if all the other disciples forsook Jesus, he wouldn't. He would die for Him.'

Why did Peter do this? Why do we sometimes follow Jesus at a distance?

Because we, like Peter, are not prayed up. Therefore, we not prepared to stand firm in our social circles, in family gatherings or at work, school, play groups, etc...

How do we keep from following Jesus from a distance? From playing it safe?

By not sleeping when we should be praying and spending time with God. Spending time with God gives us supernatural power and strength to stand firm when we should speak up or behave in a way that is far different than others around us.

Look at Jesus' example. He prayed and endured the long, torturous hours. Peter failed to pray and failed miserably.

Ephesians 6:10 gives us more insight. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Spending time each day with Jesus enables us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Sometimes our quiet time isn't enough. Pray before going into difficult or tempting situations. It'll give you the spiritual strength you need to stand firm.

What do we do when we fail Jesus as Peter did?

I personally know the humiliation Peter felt. Instead of repressing our shame and guilt (as Judas did) - Confess it to the Lord. When we do, we'll be able to experience the same forgiveness and restoration Peter experienced! (John 21:15-22)

Tomorrow: The 2 criminals beside Jesus' Cross. Luke 23:32, 39-43