By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

And They Took Him to Caiaphas…

“You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud Link”

“Those who had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.  But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.”
Matthew 26:57-58a New International Version

Jesus had been arrested and led away to the high priest, and the disciples scattered.  But Peter followed at a distance, right up these very steps on the way to the palace of the high priest.  There, while Jesus was falsely accused and beaten and condemned, Peter tried to hide in the shadows.  But he was recognized by a few servants and when confronted with the statement, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth,” he denied knowing the Savior three times.

How is your following of Jesus going for you?  Are you a “disciple at a distance”?  Are you watching from a safe distance, from the sidelines, from the shadows far off?  Oh, yes, you come and observe in church and hear Jesus’ words, but you hesitate to act upon those words, on the call to “Follow Him”.

Eventually, you know, you can’t have it both ways.  You can’t follow Jesus from a safe distance.  Either you take up your cross and follow Him and are all in, or you will deny Him under pressure.  I know you want to follow Jesus, but it is just so…. scary.  You feel weak and afraid.

Do not be afraid.  The Lord Jesus who died for you, who poured out His blood that you might be forgiven, He is with you.  We do not follow Him in our own strength or courage, but trusting in His redeeming love and His ever present Spirit.

Go ahead.  Close the gap.  Come in close to Jesus this Lenten season.  Follow Him up close and personal.  You can trust Him.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado