Follow Jesus His Way
If a person has a foot-shaped mouth, you might think they either had a rough encounter with a shoe or can't get out of their own way. This often describes the apostle Peter in his ministry with Jesus.
Peter is the preaching pendulum, capable of saying precisely the wrong thing at the wrong time, especially in his conversations about or with Jesus.
"Master, we have already cast out the nets."
"Master, if it is you, call me out to you."
"No, of course, I am not with Jesus. I don't know who he is. I curse his name!"
"Master, what about John? What do you have for him? Is he going to suffer the way I will?"
"What are you talking about? Of course, I'm not going to eat with the Gentiles."
Don't criticize Peter too much. The Gospels highlight Peter because he is the disciple whose shoes we walk in most often – brash, unthinking, seeing ourselves as leaders and forerunners when, in reality, we are still students who need to keep learning.
Yet, Peter also got things right at times. He trusted Jesus enough to walk on water. He humbled himself to throw the net over the boat, even after finishing the night shift. Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Christ!
In Mark 8:27-30, Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is. Peter replies, "You are the Christ." Despite Peter's impulsive nature, Jesus commends him, saying, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 17:16). Peter is the Rock on whom Christ would build the church.
However, when Jesus predicts his suffering and death, Peter rebukes him. Jesus responds, "Get behind me, Satan. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
Jesus then introduces the challenging instruction that to follow him, one must deny oneself, take up their cross, and follow him. This is not the picturesque marketing move one might expect, but Jesus addresses it because Peter wants to follow Jesus his way. Peter envisions Jesus as a conquering hero who will put the Jewish people back on top, and the idea of Jesus mentioning his death seems like the loss of a lifetime opportunity to Peter.
Following Jesus is not only for the spiritual elite; it's for anyone willing to follow Him His way, not a personalized experience like ordering at Burger King. Jesus is the way, and the road is narrow.
While Jesus explains the self-denial required to follow Him, He emphasizes that we must follow Him His way. There is no other way to salvation but through Jesus (Acts 4:12). If you want to follow Jesus, it must be His way.
Let the dust of Jesus’ feet cover you. Follow His way that closely.