02/28/18 - Mark 14

Feb 28, 2018 – Mark 14

Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. Mark 14:54

Following Jesus at a distance may seem safer, but only leads to sin --- stay next to Jesus.

Peter watched as his Savior and friend was arrested, and ran scared like all the others when Jesus accepted His predicament.  But Peter didn’t stay completely away … he followed Jesus at a distance watching the activities surrounding this unjust action.  Staying at a distance may have felt safer, but actually created more problems.  Instead of protecting his life, Peter found himself in the heart of deep temptation, being challenged about his relationship with Jesus and denying it three times.  You know the story, it didn’t end well.  His distance from Jesus led to his sin.

Some would say that the two issues are not connected, arguing that Peter would have died if he stayed with Jesus.  But maybe we need to reconsider:

-          Adam & Eve were a distance from God when they ate the forbidden fruit.

-          Cain killed Abel thinking God was not around.

-          Only Noah was close to God when the floodwaters came.

-          David was not where he belonged when he failed with Bathsheba.

-          Distance from Jesus preceded Judas selling Jesus out.

And remember this… Peter wasn’t the only one trying to stay with Jesus.  John did as well, but apparently was close enough to avoid the denial.  That didn’t mean John was better than Peter, just closer to Jesus than Peter.

If you’re like me, the more distant you find yourself from Jesus and His church, the more at risk you are with sin too.  While distance may feel safer or easier, it opens us up to more temptation. 

Closeness is not just about proximity, it’s about intimacy.  Knowing Jesus and staying connected to Him is not just a physical thing, it’s staying connected to Him in emotions, spirit, values, obedience, and more.  All of those things require commitment, effort, and obedience.  And that means staying with Jesus, no matter what risks come up.  Easier said than done!

So BE CAREFUL when options or arguments challenge you to put God aside temporarily.  CRINGE when schedules and expectations try to steal your time in worship or personal devotions.  Don’t be religions, be close.  If you sense God growing distant, do your best to dive deeper in your walk with Him.

ONE WORD: There are moments and seasons when people experience “the Dark Night of the Soul”.  In those moments, you feel like the distance has grown between you and God, but your pursuit is still happening.  Don’t despair.  Stay in pursuit and guard your walk.  Dark nights are about God’s plan, but distance is about our plan.

Remember – the safest place to be is next to Jesus.