DON’T FOLLOW AT A DISTANCE!

DON’T FOLLOW AT A DISTANCE!

And Peter was following him at a distance… —Matthew 26:58

            Peter thought he was somebody that he was not. He verbalized a willingness to follow Jesus even unto death. But, when it came right down to it that was not the case. After Jesus was arrested Peter followed Him “at a distance” into the courtyard of the high priest. When asked three times whether he was a follower of Jesus, Peter denied it.

            How about you and I? Are we “following Him at a distance?” Do we verbalize things we are willing to do for Jesus, but when it comes down to it we do not do what we said we were willing to do? Do we deny Jesus when we are around those who do not follow Him?

            This is the Peter before the resurrection of Jesus. After the resurrection and receiving God’s Holy Spirit, Peter is a different man. The once cowering man because a powerful preacher of the gospel and yes, he eventually did die for the Lord Jesus. What a change!

            An empowered relationship with Jesus by His Holy Spirit will bring a boldness that only He can bring. If we are trusting in ourselves and try to love for the Lord in our own strength, well, it just does not work. We need to rely on God’s Holy Spirit, get out of our comfort zones and see His mighty hand at work. If we are constantly doing only what we can do we will not see the power of God. May we trust Him to work through us to accomplish His desires that only He can do through us.

Dear Father may this be so. May Your mighty hand be upon me and work through me to accomplish what You desire. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus my Lord. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8jvfdDtoqY