Thoughts from The Bible: – 09/02/20

Thoughts from the Bible

Thursday, 03 September 2020 10:47

Follow Thou Me
by Terry Broome

Children are so precious, and so open about their feelings. You never have to wonder how they feel about a thing. Their faces and their questions tell all; and in some cases, children stay children for a very long time. For instance, Johnnie and Suzie were busy playing their favorite game when Mother interrupted them to remind Johnnie that it was his turn to wash the supper dishes. His face contorted in pain, and his voice almost screamed his disgust as he cried, “Ah, Mom, what about Suzie? Why do I always have to be the one?” Well, you can just imagine Mom’s answer: “Never mind about Suzie! You do as I say or else I’ll…”

The odd thing is that Johnnie and Suzie could pretty well be any age, and one could still expect the same reaction! In some ways, even adults are pronged to whine, “But what about them?”
Soon after our Lord was resurrected, Peter and the rest of the apostles went fishing (as recorded in John 21). Jesus took advantage of this day and this setting to spend some valuable time with them before going back to Heaven.
After building a fire and feasting on the fish the Lord had prepared, Jesus quizzed Simon Peter three times, “lovest thou me?” Peter began to see that genuine love for the master involved service as he was told all three times: “Feed my lambs (sheep).”

Then the Lord laid down a startling measure of service for which Peter wasn’t ready to commit just yet. It was a picture of total commitment (John 21: 18-19). Peter would eventually die for the faith! Much like the story of the Hen and the Pig where the hen suggested they cheer the farmer up with a great breakfast. The hen proposed, “I’ll provide the eggs, you provide the ham, and we’ll prepare a great breakfast for him.” The pig saw a flaw in the plan and replied, “It seems to me that you’re willing to make a sacrifice for the farmer, but you’re asking me to make a total commitment!!”

The Lord wasn’t just asking Peter to serve – to sacrifice – but to make a total commitment!! Peter was so human one could almost predict how he would react (21:20-21) “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following . . . Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?”

Can’t you just picture this? Peter has his own private conversation with Jesus, but when he finds out how difficult “service” really is, and what a price he’ll have to pay, he wants to know: “What about Him?” He could just as well have said, “Why Me Lord?” or “It isn’t fair!” The chilling answer in verse 22 reminds us all that there comes a time when we must step forward and answer the call to follow Jesus and quit worrying about what the other fellow is going to do! “Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow THOU me.”

The call to follow Jesus is a call to be willing to pay the ultimate price EVEN IF NO ONE ELSE DOES! So far, we’ve not been called upon to pay that price, but many in other countries have given their lives for their faith. How about you? Are you willing to give your life for the Master? Then, are you willing to live your life for the Master?
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.