Following At A Distance
“But
Peter followed Him at a distance”
Matthew 26:58
We’ve all done it…much more than we would like to admit. It seems pretty safe from a distance. Far enough away that we don’t get too involved…after all, the world constantly reminds us what happens when we get too involved…when we give our heart to something…we get hurt. And the hurt simply does not make it worth it. Yes, far enough away to our dreams…to our relationships so we don’t get caught up in the moment that would bring us too close for comfort…after all, no one wants to be uncomfortable.
So, we watch life from a distance…yet as the same time we want to be close enough in case something really special happens…something great. After all, we wouldn’t want to miss out…be left out. But to live our lives and more importantly, to live for Christ at a distance…without risk…is to be empty…powerless…lost.
Peter knew the risk of being close to Christ, but it was there he found boldness
and strength. “Thou all else fall
away, I will never betray you!” Those
were his words to His Savior.
Another time…“Thou art the Christ, Son of the living God!”
“Blessed are you Peter,” Jesus responded.
“I will give you the keys to the kingdom and the gates of Hell will not
prevail against it.”
Close to Christ, Peter could “walk on water.”
But in the dark hours of
“You are one of his disciples, aren’t you?”
The question was asked from a young girl.
Peter swore and said, “I do not know the man!”
From cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant to denying Christ
to a fourteen year old. It doesn’t
take long to get lost when you follow from a distance.
And the cock crowed.
May our desire this day be to stay close to Christ…close enough to bear the
consequences…close enough to share the pain…close enough to fill the
emptiness…close enough to share the joy.
God will give us the strength. Praise
to Him who love us unconditionally through Christ!
IN Christ,
Billy