DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOLLOWING AT A DISTANCE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FOLLOWING AT A DISTANCE

"And they led Jesus away to the high priests; and with him were assembled all the chief priest, the elders, and the scribes. But Peter followed Him at a distance." (Mark 14:53-54)

Jesus is alone facing this throng of people who hated Him. And where are all of His disciples? Verse 50 says they all forsook Him and fled. Those who just hours earlier had vehemently declared that they would never forsake Him.

Peter followed Jesus, but, "afar off" as the King James phrases it. At least he was there, but He did not want to identify Himself with Jesus. Instead, he was warming himself at the fire of the servants of the high priest (vs. 55). He was more concerned with what others thought, and perhaps was concerned for his own safety amid those who hated Jesus.

This is the problem. Too often we want to sit by the fire of worldly people. We want to follow Jesus, but not too close. We want to be accepted by the people around us, so we are not bold to admit "I am one of Jesus' disciples." We are more concerned about what other people think of us than what Jesus thinks.

May God grant us boldness to declare Jesus as our Lord and Savior before the unbelieving people around us, and not be so concerned with what they think of us, or even what they might do to us. This strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to His disciples, "But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8). The disciples did not have his boldness until after the Day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they were able to boldly stand against the mob and declare Jesus. They faced their adversaries with God's strength.

May God grant us that power to stand in a dark and evil generation, and boldly declare our faith in the Lord Jesus.

Love, Dad