Because Following at a Distance Seems Easier

“Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance…” Matthew 26:58

Because Following at a Distance Seems Easier

Do you like the idea of following Jesus, at a distance? It seems safer that way, doesn’t it?

All kind of craziness was happening in and around Peter. As the night unfolded, I can understand Peter’s confusion. This was not going the way he had hoped. I wonder when it became the most apparent to him that Jesus’ mission here was an inward revolution, instead of an outward show of power? Maybe, when he cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest slave, and Jesus healed the ear and told him to put down the sword?  This could have been one of the first times that Peter really began to understand that the battle would be won, ” Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”1

The rest of verse 58 tells us that he went in, sat with the guards and “waited to see how it would end.”

Do you ever just want to sit this one out? I do. Like, me helping in prison ministry. I would really just like to leave that one alone. I really want to follow Jesus at a distance. Yet, when Christine Roseberry of InnerFaith Prison Ministry mentioned that most of the women they minister to in prison have lost hope, and you are a Hope Coach…yep. I received a bit more than a nudge that day.

Has the Holy Spirit nudged you to move forward – someplace that seems scary and out of your control? This could be someplace that is really not a physical place, but a place of the heart. Are you willing to take one step? I’ve taken lots of next steps in my life, and you have too.

We can do this.

Linking with…Suzie Eller at #livefree Thursday, Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Holly Barrett at Testimony Tuesday , Crystal Storms at Intentional Tuesday and Susan B. Mead at #DanceWithJesus Friday

1 Zechariah 4:6, ESV

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3 Comments

  1. Thanks for your encouraging post Carmen.

    Inspired by your quote:
    “Sometimes moving forward is not a physical place, but a place of the heart.”

    I am one of those people who like to be cautious, take things slow, and stay two “safe car-lengths” behind the nudging of my heart.

    Currently in that place and trying to move forward.

    (Pink) Smiles, BRC