June 22, 2012 Peter's Purpose

Peter’s Purpose Mark 14:51-54 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. WHEN Peter walked into the courtyard, do you think his intentions were good? I think so. I believe he went there to see what they would do to Jesus. I believe he went there ready to defend Jesus, and based on his words in Gethsemane, I believe he went there ready to die. His good intentions were to defend his good Master. Sitting around the fire, he must have watched and waited. He may even have planned a way to free Jesus from this mockery. He was a fisherman, a country boy. He certainly had fought a time or two. He certainly was muscular. He was a guy who did things, took matters into his hands. He moved confidently and boldly. That was his life. Why wouldn’t he be that way now? Could it be God had other plans for this man? Of course he did, and those plans were to join the other Apostles to begin the church, to spread the Good News, to use his boldness to defend Jesus in another way, an eternal way. Of course, Peter had no such thoughts that night. He was ready—or so he thought—for immediate action to save Jesus. Little did he know that God would save him that night to save others. Pause and consider God’s plan really is much better for you.