Several years ago there was a very popular song called From a Distance. The premise of the song was that God could be counted on all the time. But, we should know that he never gets to close. In fact, God does not even get involved in our lives. He is too far away. But he is interested. He is watching. "God is watching us from a distance."
I didn't like the song when it was popular and I don't like it now. It is completely untrue. God is interested, involved and loving. He is not only watching from a distance, he is close at hand. He is available any time, night or day. God can be trusted and relied upon.
However, the song belies what is too often our general feeling, our hope. If God is watching us from a distance, that means that we can get away with more. We do not have to be as faithful, holy or committed to him or his work. I can be what and who I want to be. I can keep a safe distance from God, because he is keeping a safe distance from me.
God forbid!
That seems to be Peter's mode of operation as Jesus drew near the crucifixion. He did not want to get implicated in the treachery afoot toward Jesus. After a moment's misguided heroics in the Garden of Gethsemane when he cut off the ear of a guard, Peter returned to his wishy-washy, uncommitted self.
- Peter followed him at a distance. Peter wanted to be close enough that he could get spiritual credit for following Jesus, but far enough away that he could escape if things went bad. Peter was curious to know what would happen to Jesus, but selfish enough to value his own life and circumstances above anything else. Peter is just like most of us. We want to follow Jesus, but we do not want anyone else to know that we are followers. We want God to like us, but we do not want to risk anyone else's affection while serving him. We want to be Christians, but we do not want to be fanatics.
- Peter sat with the servants. The servants were those people who had no real stake in Jesus. There lives would be unaffected by whatever happened to Jesus that day. They would go back to their homes of servitude and continue monotonous lives of service to someone else. Peter was hoping to blend in with those who were unconcerned and unaffected by the proceedings. Aren't we much like that. We want to fit in with the crowd. It is too often our wish that no one would notice us. We certainly do not want the life and death of Jesus to change our lives.
- Peter wanted to see the end. Ultimately, Peter became a spectator. A man who was chosen personally by Jesus and called the Rock on which Jesus would build the church, wanted to watch these events as a bystander. How things had changed. You and I are also bystanders. We are spectators who watch as the work of Christ goes on and is accomplished by Jesus, by others, certainly not by us.
Lent is a season of reflection: A time for us to evaluate our lives in relationship to God and his son, Jesus Christ. Are you following from a distance?
Lent is a season of remembrance: A time to recall the ways that God has ministered to us, and too often how we have failed Him. Are you trying to avoid 'eye contact' with the Almighty?
Lent is a season of repentance: A time to give up all those things that have caused us to be ineffective in our service to the Lord. Are you actively involved in relationship with him?
