Follow the leader

For those who never played the children's game Follow the leader; here is a brief description. First a leader or "head of the line" is chosen, then the children all line up behind the leader. The leader then moves around and all the children have to mimic the leader's actions. Any players who fail to follow or do what the leader does are out of the game. The last person standing other than the leader is now the new leader.

In the Gospels, we read that Jesus was arrested in the garden and was being taken to the religious leaders for a trial. Mt. 26:57-59 Peter and another disciple followed at a distance. Peter feared the crowds and the religious leaders. The fear of people's disapproval will cause us to follow Jesus 'at a distance.' He had not thought through what his commitment to Jesus might mean. Luke 14:28 CEV He made the mistake many of us make; we wait until a crisis to decide what our values are.

I believe that the reason most Christ-followers follow Jesus 'at a distance' is they fear people's disapproval. Peter's unexpected fear is a warning: decide in advance that you will stand by your convictions no matter who tries to intimidate you. 

All human are double minded. Peter wanted the approval of the followers of Jesus for following the Master but he didn't want the disapproval of the Jews for following TOO closely. He was concerned what what might happen to Jesus; he just didn't want it to happen to him.

We can conquer the fear of man. Watch for the next blog for ways to fear God instead of man.