Seeds for 02/15/2024 - Matthew 26:57-58
Scripture: Those who had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
Observation: The night for Jesus proceeds, even though the disciples—or most of them—exit stage right. The religious leaders have assembled and are ready for Jesus’ arrival. We’re ready to shift our attention. However, from the corner of our eye, we glimpse a form we recognize—Peter.
Jesus is taken away, but Peter followed at a distance.
Throughout the Gospel, Peter has been an avatar of sorts for the disciples as a whole—the twelve, the extended group around Jesus, even you and me. Yes, Peter’s words and actions are his own. Still, Matthew features Peter in a way that invites us to experience him as both a disciple in his own right and a representative disciple for all our sake. His story is his, but it is also ours.
So here, on this terror of a night, Peter is at it again. He seems caught in between faithful desire and fearful distress. Struggling to fully commit, he remains cautiously curious. As Matthew states, he follows, but at a distance.
Now, I enjoy seeing myself in Peter when he’s getting out of the boat to walk on water or blurting out his recognition that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Less so when he’s telling Jesus how to be the Messiah or boasting about how loyal he will be.
I have compassion for the danger of Peter’s situation that night. Still the simple phrase, “But Peter followed Him at a distance,” does hit home. How often does Jesus venture out into kingdom ministry that makes me nervous? How often does Jesus endure trials that make me afraid? How often do I follow Jesus, but at a distance, hedging my bets, giving myself a buffer to prevent too great a threat to my comfort zone?
I don’t have easy answers, but Matthew’s narratival invitation to journey along with Peter insures that I at least ask the questions. Sometimes maturing in discipleship looks like patiently and persistently staying present to questions that make us uncomfortable. Peter helps us do that.
Application:
When have you followed Jesus, but at a distance?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, when I’m uncomfortable following you, please keep me near. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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