The Courtyard

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.    Matthew 26: 69

Only a few hours earlier, with Jesus and facing an angry mob Peter was ready to fight.  Now in the courtyard, the focus of the enemy is on Peter.  If Peter acknowledges he is a follower of Christ he faces death.   He has no time to think and nowhere to hide.  A life or death moment, and he falls.

We don't get to choose the timing of these crucial faith moments.  They sneak up on us like a thief, catching us off guard.  My moments have not been life or death yet still they are the same.  I either deny Christ or confess Him by the choices I make.  If in the small things I do not resist the enemy there is no way I'll be ready when I am confronted with......     Even this is a scheme as I begin to categorize and rationalize my "little" weaknesses with the false security that I would never fall to a greater, more evil temptation;   not realizing I am already trapped.  The danger is I am drawn away from the love and protection of Christ by my own choosing, satisfying myself rather than allowing Christ to satisfy me.   It is my selfish, willful leaving accompanied by a loss of self-awareness.  And I lose sight of the wonder and joy of being with Christ.

Peter was ready the next time he was confronted by the enemy.  He lives from the direct experience of encountering firsthand the incredible mercy and forgiveness of Jesus despite denying him 3 times.  He's guilty, he knows he deserves punishment and he is overwhelmed with shame and regret, yet Jesus forgives and calls him back.   With that experience and a new understanding of the Kingdom Peter is a changed man.  In Acts there are multiple imprisonments and life or death encounters by Peter as he shares the story of Jesus.  There is no longer any fear or confusion in Peter in claiming Christ.  Ultimately history says Peter was crucified upside down.   He was ready, even to die for The One who had already saved him.

For so long my walk of faith was focused on the wrong things.  Being right, being good, doing, going and it was all about my kingdom.   I was in the courtyard like Peter, watching from a distance and not really with Jesus.    Just like Peter, and in my own life Jesus calls us back with great love and incredible mercy.   He never gives up on us and He will do more than we can ask or imagine when we choose Him each day.

Father, every day I face choices of staying at a distance in the courtyard or being right at your side.   Draw me ever nearer to you until I can never let go.  In Jesus name.

Scotty Elston
Shallowater, Tx