Tuesday, April 12, 2011

In The Heat of The Moment

John 13:37-38
37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”  38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Has the Lord ever called your bluff?  Jesus was nearing the end of his time with disciples. He continually prepared them for his departing but it was difficult for the disciples to grasp the concept. One conversation regarding Jesus' separation from them resulted in laying some cards on the table. In this particular conversation Peter was doing his best to understand the magnitude of Jesus' words. In the heat of the moment Peter made a declaration that he would not on only follow Jesus where he was going but he would lay down his life for him. And Jesus gave back to Peter his statement but in the form of a question. Then proceeded to tell Peter what he was really about to do. Jesus knew Peter loved him but he also knew he was not prepared to do what he said he would do. Laying down ones life is a huge declaration. Jesus knew that when in the face of danger, Peter would deny ever knowing him in attempt to save his own life instead of laying it down as he said.

Ouch! In the heat of the moment have you ever made a declaration? Did the Lord call you on that declaration soon after? We have a tendency to speak before we have really thought about the magnitude of our words and what they really mean. We tell God we're going to do something or go where he tells us to go. But then we are surprised when we are faced with doing so. The Lord knows each of us better than we know ourselves. He knows every intention and thought. We may be good at fooling ourselves and those around us but we can under no circumstances fool God with emotionalism. We tell the Lord that we love him and we'll go to the ends of the earth but will we? When faced with the tough choices of following the Lord or going our own way what then? In the heat of the moment we even declare things to man. The Lord hears those as well and will soon call us to give an account on those promises. What then? Will we be as Peter and deny what we've declared or promised for the sake self-preservation or will our words hold true?

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