December 30, 2011

Mark 1:36 Simon and his companions went to look for him (Jesus). . .
Matthew 26:58 But Peter followed him (Jesus) at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. . .
Luke 24:12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.
John 21:7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"  As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
Matthew 14:29 . . .Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on water and came toward the Lord.

It seems all to often the foibles and warts of Peter are highlighted.  His impetuousness.  His ill-timed comments.  His betrayal.  And yes, we can learn a lot from these stories, but I think a greater lesson is in store when Peter's constant desire to be with Christ is examined.

Blackaby uses the verses listed above to illustrate Peter's near obsession to be with Jesus.

In the verse from Mark, Jesus' morning quiet time is interrupted because Peter leads a group of disciples to search Jesus out.

In Matthew 26, Peter follows Jesus right up to the mouth of the lion in order to be near his Lord.

Luke recounts the story where the others disbelieved those who had returned from the Christ's empty tomb.  But ever-seeking Peter "RUNS" to the tomb.

In John, Peter jumps out of a boat to swim to Christ.  In Matthew, we find Peter literally walking on water in the middle of a storm to be with Jesus.

How strong is my desire to be with Christ?  How does my morning time of 15-30 minutes stack up against Peter's Christ-obsession?

I know that the Christian life is one of growth.  Satan loves to discourage believers by encouraging us to compare ourselves to others.  But I also believe that Satan loves complacency just as much.

Yes, Peter has set the bar very high in his desire to be with Jesus.  Yes, I realize I may never attain that level of zeal to be with God.  But why set my sights on a lesser example?  God inspired these examples of Peter's Christ-obsession to be recorded for a reason.

"All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be equipped for every good work."  2 Timothy 3:16-17

I cannot think of a better New Year's resolution than to allow the Holy Spirit to magnify by many times my desire to spend time with God.