Friday, May 10, 2013

Luke 22:31-38


Dear Luke,
It’s funny to me that you speak of the shortfalls of the disciples compared with the greatness of Jesus!  We all fall short—some dramatically so—and I am grateful that my own faults are not recorded by others for instruction in how to follow Jesus!  Jesus is so great and wise that we cannot help but look worse by comparison, and while the disciples certainly didn’t always do the best job of obeying his teachings, many in the church today still fall short.  It’s not about the disciples, Luke—it’s about the Lord.  The fact that he still saves us and uses us demonstrates the power of his love, not our strength or wisdom or worth.  I thank God that he doesn’t require us to be on his level!
As for the promise of greatness offered to the disciples, I don’t know exactly how that translates into heaven, but I believe that each of us has a rich and wondrous destiny of eternal life with God that is far beyond what our minds can grasp.  I don’t pretend to understand it all, and I doubt that it’s the type of throne or kingdom that first comes to our mind, but I trust that Jesus has prepared a place more rewarding than you or I can dream.  It is indeed available to all who worship him, and while our reward shouldn’t be our primary motivation to follow him, it certainly is a grand thing!
It’s interesting to think that these conversations take place before the next event upon which I have stumbled.  It covers the brokenness of one of Jesus’ own disciples, Peter.  I don’t think any of us expected Peter to be perfect, but Jesus indicates there is heartbreaking brokenness within him that is soon to be revealed. 
In the midst of this dinner, Jesus calls for Peter’s attention, addressing him as Simon.  Jesus immediately casts a pall upon the room by informing the disciples that Satan will be sifting them all like wheat.  The thought of this must have frightened the disciples, who may not have considered that the threats to Jesus would reach them as well.  Jesus comforts them with an assurance that he has been praying for them to remain faithful, but then he adds an interesting statement on the end.  He tells them that when, not if, they have come back, that they are responsible for the care and comfort of others.  He doesn’t seem to indicate that there is a chance they will not fail—instead, he gives them instruction for how to live after they have repented and returned.
Peter, in all of his brashness, asserts that even if prison and death await him, nothing will prevent him from following Jesus.  I am sure the other disciples nodded in agreement, seeking to show Christ their determination around this matter.
Jesus, though, sadly announces that before morning, when the rooster crows, that Peter will have denied even knowing him.
Peter must have responded in shock, wanting to argue his case about his determination to stay faithful, but Jesus carried on, as though it were nothing more than a foregone conclusion that the disciples would flee from his side when danger raised its head.
Jesus asked them if they had needed anything when Jesus sent them out with no bag, purse or sandals.  They all said in one voce that they had not.  Then Jesus again darkened the mood in the room when he told them that a purse and a bag will be needed for the journey ahead.  Each man will need a sword, to the point of selling a cloak to buy one, for the fulfillment of the scripture is drawing near, when he will be considered a lawbreaker. 
The disciples, uncertain of the best response, offered him two swords that were present.  Jesus, knowing the weight of the coming events, merely told them that they were enough.
Luke, these are heavy times, and they fall directly on the shoulders of Jesus.  The disciples want to help, to serve, but they are uncertain of everything that is occurring, and they are weak.  None of us can go where Jesus went, none of us can do what he has done, no matter how badly we may want to follow.  The human heart is a strange and wondrous thing—it can beat in passion and devotion, and yet it can also cause us to flee and try to save ourselves.  We can boast of our faithfulness, but often, in the heat of the moment, we find ourselves seeking our own safety first!  The disciples were no different than we—common men who found themselves following an uncommon man, and as much as they wanted to understand, they were not prepared for this, and they were not ready to walk the full path before them.  I envy them at times, and yet I know that I would have responded in many the same ways, my wayward heart saving my own skin rather than seeking danger.

Sincerely,
Theophilus

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