They were a lot like Us

Matthew 26: 30-35

Have you given thought to these words of Jesus; “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”  Who is Jesus addressing?  Most of us will be quick to say His disciples, but what about you and me?  What is your response when you find yourself outside of your Christian family; a boss who is godless, a group of neighbors who are very worldly and whose god is materialism, or old friends from childhood or college who knew you before you entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ?  Do you fall away?

How often have you thought, I would never have been like one of those disciples, and for sure, I would not have been a Peter, that guy was a total wimp.  Do you recall this exchange with Jesus: Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. 

To my shame I recognize those disciples, for like them I love Jesus, like them I’ve confessed that He is the only Son of God, and like them I’ve said, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!”  Do you recall my livelihood came from sales, and more than once the Lord has spoken to me about sharing the hope that I have in Christ with an important customer, and I listened to Channel one, the deceptive channel and not to channel two, the Holy Spirit of God.  Channel One says be careful, this guy will not listen and more than that you will not get the sale.  Channel One will remind you that you will not be doing what is in the best interest of your company and it would be better to wait for a better time. 

And yet, that still, quiet voice is saying, Love not the world or the things of the world, for the world and its desires are passing away.  Like the disciples, we forget that Jesus is Truth and His word is true, and we who are formed from the dust of this earth arrogantly say to our Creator that we know better than He does.  But faith cries out, live your life like Jesus tells the truth; then and only then will you experience a victorious Christian life.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice