HOW FAR WILL YOU GO FOR JESUS?
- Key Verse
- But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome. (Matthew 26:58)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
We need to be prepared to give a defense for Jesus.
Reflections
What a scene! Caiaphas, teachers, elders, Jesus, the Sanhedrin, false witnesses, guards, and dozens of others who wanted to see what was going to happen next. This was not a proper Jewish trial. It was a sham, a kangaroo court: no due process, no cross examination, and no defense attorney.But wait. Peter is there sitting with the guards. This is the Peter who in verse 35 declared, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." This is the Peter who in verse 51 pulled a sword and cut off a man's ear to defend Jesus. Surely Peter will come to the rescue!
Many false witnesses gave their testimony, but no one spoke up for Jesus. Come on, Peter! This is your chance, your big moment. Unfortunately, Peter didn't speak up.
This same Peter went on to help found the early Church, write part of the Bible, and die proclaiming the Christ that he knew to be our Savior. In 1 Peter 3:15b (NIV) he wrote, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
Several years ago, I was convicted that I should live my daily life as the Bible says. How I think and speak at work should be no different than how I am at home or church. As I became more comfortable sharing my faith, I found other believers at work, and we started praying together and had a Bible study. As time went on, my employer (a large private company) confronted me and tried to make me stop sharing and living as Christ would have me live. Eventually, I was fired without cause after a 23-year career. While the next several years were a challenge, God has now blessed me with a new career. This challenge has also better prepared me to work in Careers-in-Motion, the Watermark jobs ministry. Check out Romans 8:28. God is good!
I am no Peter, but we can all do our part. Will you speak up for Him?
Discussion Questions
1. Of all the people in this scene, who do you most identify with? Why?2. Are you prepared to be as bold as the Peter who went on to help lead the early Church?
3. What keeps us from speaking up?
4. There are people in your life who need to hear about Jesus. Who are they, and will you speak up?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In verse 63, what did the high priest ask Jesus? What was Jesus’ answer? Did Jesus tell the truth?
2. Do you always tell the truth even when you know it might bring hard consequences?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.
Lee Danis
April 15, 2010 09:04 AM
great courage Paul and what a testimony to all who know you.
Larry H
April 15, 2010 09:39 AM
Good job Paul! I've always felt like Peter gets a bad rap. If I were in Peter's shoes with the knowledge he had at the time, I am sure I would have done the exact same thing. My opinion is that the three denials of Christ slipped up on Peter. He wasn't thinking he'd denied Him twice and he still had one more to go. It wasn't until the cock crowed and Christ looked over at him that Peter even realized what he had done. The lesson for me is that I can slip from pursuing God and living a God honoring lifestyle into sinful thoughts, words and actions without even realizing it. Paul, thanks for the encouragement you show me with your example of boldness in the workplace. Keep it up!
Sabrina
April 15, 2010 10:00 AM
Thanks for this great devotional today. Unfortunately, I can so identify with Peter! But I pray that the Lord will give me the courage, the words and the wisdom to represent Him as a Christian and a follower of Christ when the next opportunity arises to share my faith and that, like Peter, I won't look on from a distance and wish later that I had.
Marni
April 15, 2010 11:06 AM
What great encouragement to step out in faith, living to please God more than men - no matter what the earthly outcome!
Eric Colton
April 16, 2010 04:40 PM
Paul, Thanks for the great encouragement. I'm so sorry you had to lose your job. You are living out what most Christians only talk about. Way to go fellow Pony! I'm proud of you!!!