Don't Keep Your Distance From Jesus

Dear Friend,

The night before Jesus was crucified, He took the time to tell Peter and the other disciples what to expect—that He would die, would be raised from the grave, and would meet them later in Galilee (see Matthew 26:31–32). He was arrested that same night by armed men and taken before the high priest. The other disciples scattered, but Peter followed behind Jesus—at a distance. When they got to the high priest’s courtyard, Peter settled down a little ways away and waited to “see the end.” But Jesus had already told Peter and the others what was going to happen and what the end would be.

The Bible says, “Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end” (Matthew 26:58, NKJV).

Many Christians in America today want to follow Jesus at a distance. They want to give themselves a little room; they want to watch which way the wind will blow and see what the end will be. When Jesus is portrayed in a good light or when it’s comfortable, they will stand up there next to Him. But if Jesus is going to be mocked or cursed or insulted, they want to stay back until they know how things will go.

But we already know what the end will be. You and I have the Word of God, and we know there will be wars and famines and earthquakes. We know that one day the Lord Jesus Christ will come back to get His church and that we will be with Him in Heaven for eternity because we have put our faith and trust in Him. We know what happens in the end to the devil and his demons, and we know what the end is for every person who rejects God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. So why would we want to follow Jesus at a distance?

Now what do you think? Well worth our time, right?