Peter and Jesus
What would you give up to have everything you want?
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” - Luke 9:18–25
Of all Jesus's followers, I think Peter understood most who Jesus was, and that is why he gave up everything to follow him.
I can't imagine leaving wife and family for anyone or anything.
If I believed the world was coming to an end, I would want to be with family. So, Peter must have felt something truly special with God's call through Jesus.
But then, Peter didn't abandon his wife and family, did he?
Didn't Jesus visit Peter's home and heal Peter's sick mother-in-law?
So, Peter may have found a way to gain life through Christ and not lose his life with his family.
Maybe Peter is the example Jesus wants us to follow. By being willing to give up everything for Jesus, Peter gains eternal life and his family, everything that is important to him.
This life in Jesus is not one that separates us from those we love, but brings us together.
Realizing what is truly important in life is what matters. When we begin with a desire to follow Jesus, everything else falls into place.
But if we hold back and try to limit our faith, everything can fall apart.
More to come...