Skip to main content

Follow Me - Differently

           When Jesus called to Peter and said “Follow me”, Peter’s response was impressive:  “Immediately (he) left (his) nets and followed” (Mark 1:19).   From that point on, Peter made an impact. He was the first to recognize that Jesus was the Son of God (Matthew 16:13-20).  He stayed when others turned their backs and left. (John 6:8/ Mark 14:29).  Peter put his own life on the line by pulling out a sword and fighting to defend Jesus on the night of his arrest (John 18:10).  In every way possible, Peter was one of Christ’s best followers.
            However, in spite of all his effort, Peter ultimately failed.  At Jesus’ sentencing hearing, when Peter was asked if he was one of his followers, he said “no”.  In fact, he said it three separate times (Mark 14:66-72).  When push came to shove, Peter simply ran out of gas.  He could not force himself to do any more.
            Several weeks later, after his death, burial and resurrection, Jesus finds Peter and offers him another chance.  However, this time Jesus puts a condition on it.  Before telling Peter to follow him a second time (John 21:19), he asks, “Do you love me?”  In fact, Jesus asks him three times (John 21:15-17).  I think that is interesting because if I was Jesus I would have asked a different question.  I would have asked, “Do you think that you can do better this time?” or maybe, “Can you try just a little harder?”  At the very least, I would want to know, “Did you learn anything from your mistakes?”  Instead, Jesus asks, “Do you love me?”  Why would Jesus do that? 
            I think Jesus focuses on whether Peter really loves him or not simply because love was the only motivation that would really work!  You see, Peter did great things when he was out to prove how faithful he could be.  However, he would do even greater things if he simply loved Jesus, lived in the strength of his spirit and responded to the opportunities that God provided. 
            In the end, it never was about Peter.  It was never about his strength, his ability, what he could offer or even his commitment.  Rather, it was always about loving Jesus and letting God’s power work through him.  Once Peter had the proper motivation, he never failed again.
            It is still true that great strength makes a great hero, but great love makes a great disciple (Matthew 22:37-40). 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

 What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly.  https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s    
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: A Path Worth Following

  Jehoram was a terrible king.  He reigned in Judah around the year 850 B.C. and he did not care about God or his people.  His first act as king was to assassinate his six brothers so that no one could challenge his authority.  He was brutal and selfish.   Therefore, when the Bible sums up his life, it says, “Jehoram… passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David” (2 Chronicles 21:20).  Did you catch that?  “To no one’s regret!”  What a terrible phrase for your tombstone. On the other hand, consider a lady named Tabitha.  She lived in the city of Joppa in the first century A.D. and we are told, “… she was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9:36).  She became sick and died.  This caused the community so much grief that they called Peter, who was in the nearby town of Lydda, to come and help them.  When Peter arrived, a crowd gathered, bringing all the robes and other clothing that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

   When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for.  Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task.  In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut.  It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why.  Ben became stuck on the glacier.  He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below.   That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice.  He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety.  Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....
Post a Comment
Read more