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FOLLOWING AFAR OFF

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 23, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 17.

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“FOLLOWING AFAR OFF.”

THERE are many warm impulsive hearts that are forced to go out and weep bitterly again and again, because of some failure in Christian life, some denial of their Lord when they should have witnessed for Him. The failure may have been some light and foolish remark; in a time of a sore trial of patience, an oath. They may even by an expressive silence have failed to stand up for Christ in the person of some of His derided or persecuted followers, and so denied the Lord.
They wonder why they did as they did. Surely they love Him who bought them. They thought they would never fail again; but there is the sad deed, the utter defeat, the shameless denial, and the after bitter remorse. Why did they deny their best Friend?
Answer to the question may be found in the study of Peter’s life. We will not attempt an exhaustive examination; let each do that for himself; but note these things:—
1. At the last supper Peter had been singled out and told that he would deny his Lord three times before the second cockcrowing. Mark 14:30. While this was intended as a warning to Peter, he did not so take it. It was a reflection on his loyalty; and instead of searching his heart for the weakness, he bolstered up his pride on air pillows: “He spake exceeding vehemently, If I must die with Thee, I will not deny Thee.” Verse 31, R.V. Have we been reproved or warned when we thought the reproof or warning was not needed?—Remember Peter.
2. Even tho the Master sorrowed even unto death, and entreated the zealous disciple to watch with Him in His agony, Peter slept, and failed to learn the much-needed lesson of human nothingness and submission to God’s will. Verses 33-40. Does physical weariness or sensation of any sort keep our souls back from companionship with Christ in His suffering in His people?—Remember Peter.
3. When the priests and soldiers came to apprehend Jesus, Peter in his mistaken zeal drew his sword and wounded one of them. Verse 47; John 18:10. The lesson in the garden would have saved him this, but Peter slept; and when he drew the carnal weapon to defend a spiritual cause the Master healed the wound, rebuked the rash disciple, and suffered Himself to be taken. Peter was greatly humiliated and offended; and he with the others forsook Jesus and fled, followed no doubt by the gibes and jeers of the rabble—and by the prayers of His Lord. Verse 50.
4. And yet all could not remain away. Some of the disciples at least returned, among them John and Peter, but Peter followed “afar off.” Verse 54. He was still smarting under his humiliation and indignant toward his Lord. He yielded to the mood and time, instead of living by faith in the righteousness of eternity; and in the present mood he did not wish to be identified with the head of an unpopular, humbled cause. He must see the trial; he must be near his Lord, and like a spoiled child he kept in sight, tho as far away as he could. His position, his selfishness, his attitude, his distance from Jesus, left him an open prey to the enemy, and he failed, and shamelessly denied Him. More than that; the erstwhile rough swearing fisherman went back to his old habit of cursing and swearing. He “followed afar off.”
An opposite experience is recorded of John. He “went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.” John 18:15. He was not even tempted by the scoffers to deny his Lord. They knew that he was a disciple of Jesus. He did not dissemble. He was not even questioned. But not so with Peter.
Have we reverted to the old habits? Have we denied our Lord? We will find, if we seek to know, that we have been following “afar off.” But let us not despair; let us come back. Peter “wept bitterly.” The Sabbath day following was one of cruel remorse. But Jesus remembered him. The angel said to the women, “Go your way, tell Hisdisciples and Peter.” Mark 16:7. Walk near to the Lord; follow with Him; and you will not deny Him.