Wednesday, August 20, 2014

As we’ve studied Mark 14 we’ve seen in the life of Jesus the kind of experiences we might encounter if we go for broke in our walk with Jesus and work for Him. One additional point needs to be mentioned. You very well might need to stand alone when the fire of opposition is intensified. Eleven disciples were nowhere to be found, but Peter followed the crowd into the courtyard of the high priest. There he was put to the test and failed as predicted by Jesus. Jesus saw him just as he denied Him for the third time. From there on Jesus was on His own. That’s what we need to be willing to do if we want to go for broke in our walk with Jesus and work for Him. We need to be willing to stand alone. In that aloneness we might even feel what Jesus later felt while hanging on the cross, that even His heavenly Father forsook Him. But because of His dogged faithfulness He was triumphant in His death, and the rest is history. Following His resurrection, Peter was restored. The other disciples, with the exception of Judas Iscariot, were renewed, and the Church was planted and has grown down through the centuries. It pays to go for broke in our commitment to God even though the journey might be tough. That, in fact, is the impact thought that crystallized in my mind as I read this 14th chapter of Mark. As I went back and meditated on the various experiences described, this thought became clearer and more convincing. So let me encourage you to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Go for broke in your commitment to God, even though the journey might be tough.