Seeds For Thinking

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SCRIPTURE: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life.” John 6:67-68, NKJV (John 6:60; 66, 68-69)

A slogan adopted by some school athletic teams proclaims that “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” A challenge entices some people into putting every morsel of heart and soul into the effort to persevere, even though success is questionable and the outcome in doubt. Discipline has its own reward. For some people, anyway.
For others, when the going gets tough, their pathway leads away from the challenges and hard times, as in this passage in John’s Gospel, even if the reward is eternal life. “This is a hard saying,” they complained. (John 6:60) And so many of His disciples went back and walked with him no more. (vs. 66)
I thought of these words, written by Thomas Paine at the beginning of the American Revolution:
“These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
Thomas Paine, “The American Crisis”—Published on 23 December 1776

David, the king-annointed of Israel, also endured some very tough times, hiding in the wilderness while the current reigning king, Saul, sought to kill him. (1 Samuel 23:14) David refused to kill King Saul when an easy opportunity was presented, though some urged him to seek that method of ending the hardship. Saul was yet the Lord’s anointed; the matter would be decided by the Lord’s hand, not David’s. (Samuel 24:10)
It is easy to join a cause amid glitz and glamor, to be part of the popular throng, merrily enjoying the “summer sunshine.” So it is in life in the earthly realm, and many will not view the glorious triumph to be worth the hard conflict. A life that is viewed as pressed down and boxed in can be very unpleasant. Like Paul, we pray for relief from our “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
While there are valid reasons to fly the coop, such as abusive relationships, or undesirable situations, we need to think carefully before joining the “green pasture” crowd - those souls continually searching for something better, always searching, but never finding.
Yet, as Thomas Paine observed, what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness that gives everything its value. Following Jesus the Savior is not always easy, as many who followed Him discovered. Let us, though, not go away from Him, for, as Peter observed Jesus has the words of eternal life.
May 25, 2008

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Scripture: Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet.!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me." Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.!” John 13:8-9, NKJV

We have a small utility vehicle that we use for many chores about the farm. It truly lives up to its designation for hauling water, feed, fencing and other supplies to our livestock. First, though, we have to start the engine. Once the small, one cylinder gas engine sets for a while and cools off, we have to ‘prime’ the engine to get it started. It is not a problem, really, we use the choke control, just a routine that we expect if we want to get some work out of that vehicle.
I find that my personal life it is a lot like that engine - in a comparative sense. Once a task has ”set” for a time, it takes a lot to get going again. Maybe it is a form of inertia - the property of a body in motion to stay in motion, and a body at rest to stay at rest.
After giving the matter considerable thought, I have come to the conclusion that Peter had a similar “carburetor” problem. I don’t know how else you would explain it. First, Jesus had to apply the “choke” to prime Peter, to get him started.
To further the engine analogy, Peter lacked throttle control. Once started, Peter would go from dead stop to full on, that’s Peter. But, then, there is a lot of Peter in all of us. We
deny the Lord’s requests - “Not me, Lord!” -until He really gets our attention.
Jesus was enacting a parable in servitude by administering a symbolic ritual for His disciples - that of a host washing the dusty feet of his guests. The service was usually provided by a servant, and to omit this courtesy was a breech of etiquette on the part of the host. However, to refuse to accept the service was a breech of etiquette on the part of the guest. If we wish to be associated with the host (Jesus) we must welcome and accept what He desires for us.
Jesus established the church to continue the tradition of servitude as the gracious host for all who would be associated with Him. First, we need to accept both the physical and spiritual ministries of the church by participating in regular attendance and the sacraments provided. We should strive to be the gracious guest of the Lord’s Servants.
Then, as a member and participant of the church, there is also a role for each of us as as Jesus taught in this example - “You should do as I have done for you.” (vs. 15) We are to be the physical hands and feet of a loving God reaching a world in need.
We shouldn’t have to be ‘choked’ to read the Bible more, join that Bible study group, participate in a mission activity, or volunteer to serve on a church committee.
Peter may have it right, though. It is not a “feet” thing, but an “all of me” thing, whatever and wherever there is a need for ‘disciplining’ as Jesus taught - the hands and feet of a Loving God.
May 20, 2007