Friday, January 19, 2007
Why Not?
Simon never wanted to be far away from Jesus. From walking on water to cutting off a man's ear, he was the kind of guy who would do whatever it took to be with Jesus. Simon may not have understood a lot, but he knew that Jesus was the real deal. Life followed wherever Jesus went. Simon would rather die than live without Jesus.
During the Last Supper, Jesus mentioned that He was getting ready to go away and they could not follow where He was going. Simon wanted to know where Jesus was going.
Jesus responded, "Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards." This was not good enough for Simon. Maybe that would be OK for the others. He didn't want to wait.
Simon countered, "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake."
It doesn't appear that Simon was putting on an act. In only a few short hours he would draw his sword to defend Jesus. He was ready to fight, but he was not ready for the cross. Not yet.
Simon still had too much of the world in him. He needed to be made new. Simon's response to the arrest showed that he still did not understand many of the upside down principles of God's Kingdom. The disciples could not follow Jesus because only He was able to bear the burden of the world's sin.
Seeing what would happen, Jesus told the truth. This must have deeply hurt Simon. Jesus told him what he needed to hear. In a strange way, Jesus' rebuke was an act of mercy. It let Simon know that Jesus understood what he would do and still loved him. Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that they faith fail not, and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethern."
Simon insisted that he would never deny Jesus even if all the others did. You can just see his voice rising as he stands to proclaim his loyalty. Simon's boast went away when Jesus let the mob take him without a fight. Simon was ready for a brawl but not a sacrifice.
Jesus' words to Simon show the mark of true love. He would not lie to Simon even though that would have been the best thing at the time for Simon's ego. Our own sense of self worth is not a high priority to God. Christians are called to find their identity in the words of God not the opinions of man or even our own track record. Jesus never shied away from tough words when they were necessary. He modeled out here the ability to speak the truth in love.
Jesus demonstrated his authority and awareness of the spiritual battles taking place over His disciples. He prayed for Simon and stood up against Satan on his behalf. He provided direction for Simon after his fall. Jesus knew the men's limitations. That is why He told them, "No." This little word is one of the hardest things to say to those we love. But sometimes it is the most loving thing we can say.
During the Last Supper, Jesus mentioned that He was getting ready to go away and they could not follow where He was going. Simon wanted to know where Jesus was going.
Jesus responded, "Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards." This was not good enough for Simon. Maybe that would be OK for the others. He didn't want to wait.
Simon countered, "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake."
It doesn't appear that Simon was putting on an act. In only a few short hours he would draw his sword to defend Jesus. He was ready to fight, but he was not ready for the cross. Not yet.
Simon still had too much of the world in him. He needed to be made new. Simon's response to the arrest showed that he still did not understand many of the upside down principles of God's Kingdom. The disciples could not follow Jesus because only He was able to bear the burden of the world's sin.
Seeing what would happen, Jesus told the truth. This must have deeply hurt Simon. Jesus told him what he needed to hear. In a strange way, Jesus' rebuke was an act of mercy. It let Simon know that Jesus understood what he would do and still loved him. Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that they faith fail not, and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethern."
Simon insisted that he would never deny Jesus even if all the others did. You can just see his voice rising as he stands to proclaim his loyalty. Simon's boast went away when Jesus let the mob take him without a fight. Simon was ready for a brawl but not a sacrifice.
Jesus' words to Simon show the mark of true love. He would not lie to Simon even though that would have been the best thing at the time for Simon's ego. Our own sense of self worth is not a high priority to God. Christians are called to find their identity in the words of God not the opinions of man or even our own track record. Jesus never shied away from tough words when they were necessary. He modeled out here the ability to speak the truth in love.
Jesus demonstrated his authority and awareness of the spiritual battles taking place over His disciples. He prayed for Simon and stood up against Satan on his behalf. He provided direction for Simon after his fall. Jesus knew the men's limitations. That is why He told them, "No." This little word is one of the hardest things to say to those we love. But sometimes it is the most loving thing we can say.
