DAILY READING
REFLECTION
At A Distance
by Beth Voltmann
On the night Jesus was arrested, “Peter followed at a distance.”
Peter had been such a confident follower of Jesus. He was the one who spoke these words:
· “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:27)
· “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
· “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33)
And yet, Peter, so well-intentioned in his commitment to Christ, utterly failed in this moment of
fear. Having tried, at first, to defend Jesus by the sword, he was now helpless as the Messiah willingly surrendered to his accusers. The challenges came at Peter in the flickering firelight of the courtyard:
”This man was with him.”
“You also are one of them.”
“Certainly this fellow was with him.”
Peter responded to the charges,
“Woman, I don’t know him.”
“Man, I am not!”
“Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.
Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today,
you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:60-62)
My heart aches for Peter as he recalled Jesus’ words of warning, but even more so as the Lord’s eyes met his. Was it perhaps a look of chastisement? Of “I told you so”? Of great sorrow? Of disappointment? I want to imagine otherwise.
Remember the rich young ruler who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, but was conflicted
because he was so attached to his wealth?
“Jesus looked at him and loved him.” (Mark 10:17-21)
If only Peter had remembered Jesus’ other words from earlier that evening:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon,
that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke
22:31-32)
When in your life have you followed Jesus at a distance... and why? Pride? Anger? Sorrow?
Many believers fall away, lose hope, feel despair or discouragement. In those moments, we must lift our heads to see Jesus looking at us with eyes of love. Through tears of repentance,
may we remember Christ’s words.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
PRAYER
Jesus, please forgive us when we fail to follow you closely. Look upon us, strengthen us, restore us with your unfailing love. Amen.
Good morning, Beth.
I have given much thought to the "look" Jesus gave Peter at the last of the 3 betrayals. Yes, there had to be love in His eyes but, at the same time, the look was not one that let Peter off the hook. Jesus let him feel "tough love" leaving Peter to wept and likely agonized for 3 days thinking to Himself 'what have I done to the One I love and may not see again'. Jesus did not add to the look something like, "Peter, we all fall short and you are forgiven". Silence was the mode Jesus chose so Peter would know what betrayal can do to a deeply connected friendship. Thank you, Jesus f…
"(Stacy) but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers (& sisters).”
How many times in my life have I denied that Jesus is my Lord - either to my own heart when I wanted something I wanted or to others by my lack of faith or action?
And how many times has he softly and tenderly (and sometimes not so softly) called this sinner home?
What a joy when we can extend grace and hope because we have received so much grace and hope!
"'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus..."
Thanks Beth, for pointing out how Jesus filled Peter with hope so he could draw on…