Peter tried!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | September 18, 2023 | Matthew 26:57-58

KEY VERSE:

But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. Matthew 26:58 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

When a person has been blamed wrongly for a long time, it is refreshing to get other perspectives of the narrative which clears them of the dust that has been piled on them. We love to be exonerated, especially when we have been misreported and misunderstood. In this life, we may not have all the opportunity to explain ourselves and possibly get some justice, but Heaven will be the last post where we will get our greatest and best assessment and exoneration.

Once again Peter’s denial of the Lord in His extreme moment of suffering comes to mind as we reflect on the text for today. Surely Peter made the much-remembered denials of the Lord, but Peter tried his best also to keep to his vow to stick with the Lord. He did better than those other disciples we are not accustomed to referring to as people who denied the Lord. In Gethsemane, Peter tried physical defence of the Master by drawing the sword, and in our text today, when the other disciples had all disappeared from sight, “Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.”

Peter followed, at a distance, but he followed. Peter followed into the den of the lions, into the courtyard of the High Priest. He did not peep in and run away, he entered and sat down. He sat down with the guards, those who had just arrested his Lord, not to join forces with them, but to await the outcomes of the mistrials of his King! Do these steps justify the denials? No, but they show the efforts of a man committed to his Master and trying to make sense of a situation that did not make sense. O, Peter tried! Soon to crumble under pressure, but let us say, Peter tried!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Do you know someone whose efforts are not being recognized, a hardworking father of a family striving to ensure good upkeep of his dependants? A faithful committed mother doing her best to keep up with a difficult life partner. A child striving hard to make the grades and stay away from negative peer pressure. Or is it you, being blamed for some failure while your other efforts are not considered?

Keep on doing well, and be determined to be true to Christ, irrespective of the circumstances.

PRAYER:

Lord, it was a difficult time for you, for all the disciples, and especially for Peter. I confess that sometimes I fail to appreciate the efforts of others to stay on the path of Christian transformation. Please help me to give credit where it is due, and even to myself, because I may sometimes be too unforgiving to myself. Keep me from the complacency that says that good is enough when you expect the best of me.

For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! ____________________________ DAILY word study: FOLLOWED

The word "followed" in this passage for today is translated from the Greek word "ἠκολούθησεν" (ēkolouthēsen). This Greek verb means to "follow" or "accompany." It signifies the act of going along with someone or something, often indicating a physical or metaphorical journey.

The word "followed" in this passage invites reflection on the nature of discipleship and the challenges that can arise when following Jesus. Peter's following at a distance and his attempts to conceal his identity symbolize the struggle and fear that disciples may encounter when faced with adversity or the potential consequences of their faith.

It serves as a reminder that following Jesus is not always easy, and at times, we may be tempted to keep our faith at a distance, especially in situations where it may be uncomfortable or unpopular. Peter's actions reflect the tension between commitment and fear, between wanting to follow Jesus and being afraid of the consequences. Peter's actions encourage us to draw nearer to Jesus in our discipleship journey, even when faced with challenges or fear, knowing that He walks with us through every step of the journey.

Reflections: Are there moments in your own faith journey where you have felt the temptation to follow Jesus at a distance, to keep your faith concealed or private rather than openly identifying as a disciple? How can you overcome fear and hesitation in your commitment to follow Jesus more closely, even in challenging circumstances?