“Then seizing Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.” (Luke 22:54)
After the arrest the disciples had all fled. Obviously, Peter did not go far because he comes back into the picture when Jesus is taken to the house of the high priest. The Scripture tells us that Peter “followed at a distance”. Curious but still cautious. His love for Jesus would not let him stay away but his fear kept him at a distance. He wanted to be close to Jesus but, at the same time, he wanted to be safe. Close enough to see Jesus but not close enough to be connected to Him. After all, if he got too close to this “rebel” he could be guilty by association.
Truth: It is hard to follow Jesus at a safe distance.
Whatever Peter’s intention, he was found out and his infamous denial follows. The stage had been set for this collapse of loyalty when he chose to follow “at a distance”. Such a striking failure usually doesn’t come out of the blue. The times that we find ourselves letting Jesus down are normally proceeded by a decision to keep Jesus at arms length…a safe distance. Peter knew from his past experience on the sea, the dangers of letting Jesus out of your sight. When he had climbed out of the boat to walk on the water with Jesus he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink like a rock. That night it was the fear of the waves that distracted him. On this night it was the fear of the crowd.
Truth: Fear will always create space between you and Jesus.
Today, as you meditate on what Jesus did for you, run to His side. Put aside your fears and stay close to Him. Jump in today with both feet. Don’t hang back. Make a commitment to follow Jesus wherever He goes. Don’t follow “at a distance”. THAT is the dangerous place to be. It is THERE that denial is close at hand. The best place to be is with Jesus. There is no doubt. It may be uncomfortable but do not give in to the temptation to put distance between you and Him. “Be strong and courageous” is what the Lord said to Joshua. Be strong and stay close.
Blessings.