Are you among the valiant?

Do you have a desire for adventure? Do you feel most alive when your heart is racing and thrill is on the horizon?

In his best selling book, Wild at Heart, John Eldredge writes:

A Battle to fight. An Adventure to live. A Beauty to rescue. This is what a man longs for. This is what makes him come alive. Look at the films men love. For that matter, look at the dreams of little boys, the games they play. There is something fierce, passionate, and wild in the heart of every man.

As a quick aside, many critics have unfavorable review of the book due to a) the handling of scripture, b) the view of the core of man's heart, and c) the view of God. While these are certainly issues and true concerns for the book, nevertheless, the success and attraction of the book cannot be denied. Most of us have a desire for adventure -- life above the mundane plodding of existence.

Except for approximately 7 movies, the top 50 grossing movies of all time involve adventure. Some of them include Star Wars, Star Trek, Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones movies, Spiderman and Batman. Even the children get in on the adventure with animated films such as Shrek. We are enamored with adventure. Our attraction to productions from Hollywood has a lot to do with our longing for drama and adventure.

Jesus called for us to have life - to live life -- and to have it more abundantly. In our society, many men have become passive, passionless, and even feminized in some regards. We watch adventure, but we don't live it. God did not call us to be passive or to cower before a challenge. Scripture uses metaphors like athlete, soldier, and conqueror to describe followers of Christ. Many of the early apostles died a martyr's death.

In 2 Samuel 23:8-39, we find a group of men that were a part of something greater than themselves. These men were used by God to fight for the king who was God's exalted and anointed. Together, they brought about one of the greatest eras in Israel's history. They were King David's mighty men. They were men of valor -- they were valiant men.

val-iant –adjective

1. boldly courageous; brave; stout-hearted
2. marked by or showing bravery or valor
3. worthy; excellent.

What does it mean to be valiant as a follower of Christ? These mighty men of David were included in scripture for a purpose. God inspired Samuel to write about these men. We can learn from looking at their story.

Called Out and Celebrated (v.8, 24)

The Bible is God's inspired word to mankind. He thought it significant enough to name these men. He calls them out by name.

"These are the names of David's mighty men ..." (v. 8)

"Among the Thirty were ..." (v.24)

Not only were they named, they were celebrated. In a way, God "brags" on them.

"Such were the exploits of the three mighty men." (v. 17)

An exploit is a striking or notable deed; a feat; a spirited or heroic act. This chapter is dedicated to some of the noteworthy acts of these men.

They were valiant because of their actions. They were valiant because of who they had become as warriors. Most of all, they were valiant because of what and who they fought for.

If we are to be called out and celebrated, we must be people of character and action.

What are some of the character traits and actions of these men?

Courageous and Confident (v.8-12)

8 ... Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. 9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, 10 but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. 11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

These men stood firm in the face of incredible odds. One man against 800. One man against an entire Philistine army. They were willing to stand alone. Because they were followers of God they were confident even to the extreme of "taunting" the enemy.

Are you confident of who you are in Christ? Are you willing to stand alone if necessary? Or, do you look around to see what everyone else is doing before you get involved -- if you get involved at all.

The rest of the men looked to these valiant warriors as leaders -- as people of courage and influence. Note in verse 10 when the men returned, it doesn't say that they returned to a place. It says, "The troops returned to Eleazar." After seeing what God had accomplished through Eleazar, the men looked to him for their directions. Unfortunately, because the others had not stood beside him in battle, they were left with "stripping the dead." They missed out on the recognition in victory. We don't know their names.

Note that the confidence and courage of the mighty men were not misplaced. The scripture says "the LORD brought about a great victory." These men were confident because they were followers of the most high God. Their leader David had set the example. As a young shepherd boy, David brought food to his brothers who were in the Israeli army. As he approached the army camp, the story in 1 Samuel 17 tells us that David heard the taunts and the defiance of Goliath. His response:

"... I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel ... This day the LORD will hand you over to me, ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel."

David was confident in his God. David had set the example and these men too were courageous and confident because they were followers of God.

Committed (v.10)

10 but he [Eleazar] stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.

Eleazar had fought so long in the face of enormous odds that his hand cramped around his sword. In the face of a steady onslaught of the enemy, and even as the Israelite army retreated, he stood firm and he fought. He persisted.

We have a misconception that the Christian life is easy. If I follow Christ, surely he'll protect me from trouble; surely, he will take care of my family; surely, he'll help me to prosper. He will, but not in the way we think. As Christ talked to his disciples right before his passion week, he said (John 16):

32"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Just like the Israelite army around Eleazar, the disciples had scattered. Jesus communicated a timeless truth that men like Eleazar understood. If you are a follower of God, others may abandon you, yet he will never leave you. And, though trouble may come, Christ has already overcome the world. We need to continue in the battle knowing that God is with us.

Hold to your faith. Stay in the fight. Stay committed to God's call on your life.

Devoted (v.13-17)

Not only were these men committed, they were devoted.

They were devoted to David, the King:

13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. 17 "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!" he said. "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?" And David would not drink it.

What an amazing story of devotion. These men risked their lives because David was thirsty. David didn't explicitly asked for the water. He "wished" for it. His casual, albeit sincere, request led to these men risking their lives to meet the need of their king.

These men didn't gossip around the campfire saying, "Can you believe this guy? Why doesn't he get his own drink of water?" They didn't say, "It's David's fault we're here in the first place -- camping out and fighting instead of being with our families." They were close enough to their king to know his desires. They were knit together with him in their hearts.

Where are you with regards to the leadership of your church? Do you follow the leadership that God has put in place? Are you devoted to the mission and purpose of your church? Or, would you rather spend time complaining about the leadership and all of the things that aren't going your way?"

Have you spent time understanding the heart of your leadership? Are you devoted to helping them in the accomplishment of the mission?

Now, theirs was not a blind devotion. They were foremost devoted to God. Note an interesting, seemingly meaningless close to this chapter. The last name listed is Uriah (verse 39):

39 and Uriah the Hittite.

If you know the story of David and Bathsheba, you'll recall Uriah. David amidst his sin with Bathsheba in an attempt to cover it up, tried to convince Uriah to abandon the army and to spend time with his wife, Bathsheba. Uriah's character and devotion to what was right and to the God of Israel went beyond his devotion to David. In 2 Samuel 11:11, Uriah responds:

"The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord's men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!"

The ark was considered to be the place where the very Spirit of God resided. Uriah was devoted to God -- it cost him his life. He did not compromise his values, not even for his earthly king.

Joab was the commander of David's army. These mighty men were a part of his "special forces." Yet, as the commander of David's army, subject to David, he did not blindly follow David. He challenged him and held him accountable to God. In the next chapter when David begins to trust in the size of his army, Joab challenges him that he should trust in God.

David made mistakes. When he did so, God sent others into his life to confront him. They supported him as God's anointed. When necessary, they approached him directly (not complaining behind his back). They challenged him to hold true to God's path.

You are called in scripture to follow your leadership, the leadership of the church. You should embrace them and come alongside in the mission of the church. If, or when, they make mistakes, we are given Biblical ways to confront one another -- avoid gossip, grumbling and complaining and rather, speak the truth in love to one another.

Trusted (v.20-23)

In verse 20, we are introduced to Benaiah.

20 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. 21He killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. Now the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. 22These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and had a name as well as the three mighty men. 23He was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David appointed him over his guard.

What a cool story of the life of Benaiah. He chased troubled -- pursuing a lion into a pit; going up against an "impressive" armed Egyptian with only a club in hand. His courage and bravery led David to select him as the head of his bodyguards - the "secret service" of their day. David trusted him with his life.

37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers of Joab the son of Zeruiah

Among these mighty men, Joab selected his armor bearers. The armor and weapons were the lifeblood of the soldier. Joab trusted these men with his armor and weapons. Thus, he trusted him with his life.

Can you be trusted? Do your actions display a character that people can count on? When the battle heats up, will you be among the mighty men who stand and fight or are you a part of the army that retreats. Do you hide in the corners of the church without getting involved or supporting the activities? Do you think your presence constitutes service?

God wants you to be part of his army. Your church needs you to be involved -- involved in service, involved in giving, involved in prayer and worship.

Closing

As you've learned this story, the challenge may have stirred the desire for adventure in your soul. You truly want to have a meaningful life -- one where you can make a difference in your family, friends, and those around you.

What holds you back?

You may not feel qualified. You may want to be there, but are struggling with courage, confidence, commitment, and devotion.

Let's look at where these men began: 1 Samuel 22:2

1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

These men began in distress, in debt, and discontented with life. But, they didn't stay there. Don't become mired in the victim "woe is me" mentality. They devoted themselves along with David in following God -- wholeheartedly. As they did, you can BEcome a valiant warrior for God.

Be more than a conqueror.

Be fighters for your family.

Be warriors in the workplace.

Be crusaders in your community, in your church, and for Christ.

Esther - Mentoring (Study Notes)

A Look at the Book of Esther

Review:

• A book which reveals God's providence at work in the affairs of mankind and his people.


• J. Vernon McGee quotes a hymn to describe this book, "God standeth in the shadows keeping watch over His own." Keep this verse in mind (Esther 2:11).


• The Persian King Cyrus, when he conquered Babylon, gave a decree to allow the Jews to return home. Many stayed despite the decree allowing them to return. Why?

• Rebellion?

  Apathy?

  Routine?

  Status?

  Supporter (kingdom builder)? (Ezra 1:1-4)

• Regardless of whether or not, the remnant were in God's will, God does not abandon his children because of their sin. The fellowship may be broken but the relationships is still there.


• We do know that because of their prior sin, they were in captivity. There is still consequences of sin upon generations.


• Although they are not in God's will, God still directs their affairs to his purpose.
  They were far from God but he was near to them (Acts 17:26-28a).

Different Perspective:

• In light of Ezra 1:4, maybe Mordecai was in place to support his people. I believe this is consistent with his character that we see throughout this passage:

• In the next chapter, Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman. (Esther 3:2)

  Mordecai inspires Esther to stand up for her people. (Esther 4:12-14)

  Held in high esteem among the Jews (Esther 10:3)

• Don't misunderstand my point. I don't believe that Mordecai was some pious spiritual superman. But, just maybe, he is a follower of God struggling in a pagan land to do what he believes to be right. Often times, he looks to his own strength and he fails.

• We don't see a pattern of prayer in his life like we see with Nehemiah.

  We don't see him taking a stand for purity like Joseph did.

  While he follows the example of "not bowing" like Daniel, he doesn't mention the name of God while doing so.

  Clearly, Mordecai has his issues, but do these issues sound familiar?

• Regardless of our perspective of Mordecai, God remains the same. HE is constant and HE is in control. Though he is not even mentioned, God is the main character in the story of Esther.
• Let's examine Mordecai's action in light of his struggling to serve God in a foreign land.
• As we examine this, I want to leave us with a challenge -- to invest in the next generation so that they can accomplish things for God that may be beyond our reach.

Proverbs 20:29 "The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old."

Passages: (Esther 2:5-23) Mentoring the Next Generation

A Place of Prominence

If we are to lead, we should strive to be in a place of influence -- not necessarily position, but influence. One of the most important measures of a leader is influence.

Esther 2:5 - living in the palace area.

Esther 2:21 - residing at the king's gate. [Incidently, we don't know if he held this position before or because Esther was queen and her influence made it possible.]

The gate of the ancient city was its major commercial and legal center. Markets were held in the gate; the court sat there to transact its business. Mordecai's sitting at the gate confirms his holding a high position in the civil service of the empire.

Who are other people in the Bible whom God placed in positions of leadership in foreign lands?

Joseph

Daniel

Nehemiah

God was orchestrating Mordecai's life and had placed him in a position of influence for a specific purpose.

God has reasons for placing us in positions of influence. We should not be blind to what God wants to do in our lives. We should not take our positions for granted.

A Role as Guardian

Esther 2:7 - Mordecai had "brought up" and "taken [Esther] as his own daughter."

What are the implications of this as a Jew?

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Proverbs 22:6
Psalm 71:17-18
Psalm 78:1-7

As a guardian (or mentor) we have a responsibility to "train."

I believe because of the pattern that we see in Mordecai and in Esther that he had laid a foundation for training, development, discipline, respect, and growth in Esther.

Esther 2:10, 20

Mordecai was speaking into her life.

What was the motivation for his instructing Esther to keep silent?

It may have been for personal benefit.
It may have been out of fear for her life (death, or becoming a concubine).

Esther was listening. Verse 20 says that Esther "continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up." Others connected with Esther. "Beauty is more than skin deep."

Esther 2:9, 15, 17

Esther 4:15-17

A Responsibility as Guardian

As a guardian (mentor), we can't simply throw our youth into the deep end and hope they can swim. We need to be around -- to be available. Remember the quote from the hymn, "God standeth in the shadows keeping watch over His own." I believe we see a picture of this with Mordecai in Esther 2:11.

A Relationship as Mentor

As we speak and act into the lives of our children or our youth -- the next generation -- ultimately the process should take us to a point of influence through relationship. We see this transformation begin to happen in the relationship between Mordecai and Esther.

Esther 2:22
Esther 4 (especially 4:15-17)
Esther 9:29-32

We can rule from position, or we can influence through relationship. If their (Esther and Mordecai's) relationship had been because of position it would have changed dramatically when she became queen, but the relationship was just that -- a relationship. Ultimately, ruling will lead to rebellion. Influence will lead to a partnership in life's work -- kingdom work.

Preoccupied

We often walk through life caught in routine, norms, traditions, or simply busy-ness oblivious to a real purpose or power in our life. We're preoccupied:

Definitions:

• absorbed or engrossed to the exclusion of other things;
• so lost in thought as to be unaware of one's surroundings.

We're preoccupied with our jobs, our finances, and our circumstances. We're preoccupied with what others are doing and how that may impact us. We are so absorbed in our daily routine and concerns that we wander through life having little positive impact in our families, our neighbors, and the world around us.

We may try to blame it on the times -- the economy, the pace of the world. The preoccupation of mankind is not new.

The disciples had lived with Jesus for three years. They had seen him perform great miracles. They had sat under his teaching and learned from him. They themselves had been given power to perform miracles. Then, Jesus died and they scattered -- fearful and confused. When they heard of his resurrection, they had gathered back together. Jesus appeared to them to provide them encouragement and to give them a new purpose. In John 20:21, Jesus said to them, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Jesus was clearly calling them from the routine of their life into a life of purpose. Matthew 28:18-20 clarifies this purpose -- the disciples were to "go and make disciples." The purpose is reiterated again in Acts 1:8 where Jesus tells them, "you will be my witnesses."

After Jesus had appeared to the disciples and communicated this purpose to them, John seemingly closes his book with these words (John 20:30-31):

30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The disciples are ready to "go" now, right? Wrong. Following Jesus' appearance in John 20 and these words from John, we find this story.

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Preoccupied with our routine.

These disciples were caught up in their old routine. When Jesus found these disciples and called them three years ago to follow him, they were fishing. They were fisherman. In spite of the three years with Jesus; in spite of his command to "go;" they returned to the familiar; they returned to fishing.

How often do we get caught up in our routines? We favor the familiar, the comfortable -- so much so that we become preoccupied with it. We become irritated if our routine is disrupted. We fear change; we fear the unknown. We shy away from the challenge. We may be consumed by our jobs - burying ourselves in our work. We may be consumed by our hobbies -- losing ourselves in our play. Our habits drive us to do the same things in the same way that we've always done them. Our busy-ness keeps us from focusing on the purpose and the work of God in our life.

Jesus does not call us to the "same old" way of life. He didn't sacrifice his life and die a cruel death for us to remain caught up in the routine busy-ness of life. Jesus had called these disciples to be more than mere fisherman -- he called them to become "fishers of men." He called these men to lead a change into the world -- to reach the world for a relationship with Jesus Christ and with God.

What did this routine bring them? The passage says, "... that night they caught nothing." Furthermore, with their preoccupation in their work, they missed Jesus standing on the shore.

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus."

Our routines will cause us to miss Jesus.

Not only are we preoccupied with our routines, we are ...

Preoccupied with our self.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

19 ... Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

As we read this story, there is strong implication that this encounter of Jesus with his disciples was for Peter's benefit. Peter had denied Jesus three times. Peter was feeling the guilt of his denial. He longed for the "way things were." He searched for the familiar -- the comfortable. Peter is the one who led the way back to the routine of life. He said, "I'm going out to fish," and the others followed him. Peter was hurting. Peter was thinking about himself.

There is a lot of symbolism in this story. In verse 14 of this passage, we find that this was the third time that Jesus had appeared to the disciples after his resurrection. Peter had denied Christ three times. In his dialogue with Peter, Jesus asked Peter the same question three times. After the third repeat of the question, the passage says that "Peter was hurt." Jesus was calling attention to Peter's focus on himself - to his holding on to his guilt. Peter, because he was thinking of himself, had returned to the old way of life.

We are preoccupied with our routine; we are preoccupied with our self. We are also ...

Preoccupied with what others are doing.

19 Then he [Jesus] said to him [Peter], "Follow me!" 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (...) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?

Peter had just received a call -- a command -- from Jesus to care for people and to follow him. His first response is "what about him?" How often do we do that? We worry about what others are doing. We compare ourselves to others. We look at how others perform at work. We gauge our level of involvement in the church by what others are doing. We want someone else to do the work. We want to make sure that we don't do more than our "fair share."

Jesus tells Peter and he tells us, "what is that to you?" In other words, that is none of your business. We're preoccupied with what others are doing and we miss the call of God on our life.

What does this story teach us about overcoming our preoccupations?

First:

We overcome being preoccupied with our routine by responding to Jesus.

We overcome being preoccupied with our routine by hearing Jesus, recognizing him, running to him, and spending time with him.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast."

When Jesus finds the disciples caught up in their routine, he calls out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" He is basically asking, "How's that working for you?" How is your routine working for you? Are you fulfilled in life? Jesus doesn't simply leave them there. Notice that they were not looking for Jesus. He went looking for them. He then offers to perform a miracle in their life. He offers to perform a miracle in your life. But, he will not do it without you responding to his call.

Through this miracle, they recognized Jesus. Note Peter's response. He leaps into the water and swims 100 yards to get to Jesus. He doesn't wait for the slow row of the boat pulling the load of fish. He immediately does what it takes to get to Jesus. We need to have that same urgency. Run to Jesus. Throw aside your routine and run to Jesus.

When the disciples gathered around Jesus they had breakfast with him. The meals with Jesus were meaningful. Jesus often used these as teaching moments. We see this in the Lord's supper with his disciples where he showed them how to serve with the washing of their feet and revealed the purpose of his death through the bread and the wine. In Revelation 3:20, scripture tells us that Jesus knocks at our door. Jesus pleas with us to open up to him. To whoever opens the door, he says, "I will come in and eat with him." When the disciples break their routine and spend time with Jesus, this provided the opportunity for Jesus to teach them. We need to spend time with Jesus. Allow him to teach us, to mold us, to change our lives so that we may have abundant life in him -- not routine.

Next:
We overcome being preoccupied with our self by focusing our attention on the needs of others.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Peter had claimed his love for Christ and had testified as to who Jesus was. Yet, at this point in his life he was stricken with guilt and had returned to his routine of life. His feelings had the best of him and he was focused on himself and his needs.

Jesus asks, "Do you truly love me more than these?" This love is true love -- more than a feeling. Does your love for Jesus consume you? Is he the focus of your will and your life? Or, do the "things" of life capture your attention. Peter had allowed his guilt to capture his attention. Peter had allowed his fishing gear and his fishing occupation to capture his attention.

Jesus is showing Peter that his focus needs to be on loving Jesus by loving others (the two great commandments -- to love God and to love others). That love, if true love, translates into action. We love others when we serve them, feed them, take care of them, and point them to life in Jesus Christ. Jesus had commanded them to "go and make disciples" -- to extend God's kingdom on earth and to reach people for a relationship with Christ.

Through these questions, Jesus restores Peter. In the third and final question, Jesus asks Peter again if he loves him. This question of love is an emotional one -- one which brings Peter's hurt to the surface. In spite of Peter's failure, Jesus restores him by calling him -- "follow me."

We overcome our preoccupation with ourselves when we focus on Jesus and we truly love him. And, this love translates into love for others. We care more about others and we are concerned with addressing their needs. We will have a positive impact for Jesus in our family and in our community.

Finally:
We overcome being preoccupied with what others are doing by focusing on God's call in our life and following him.

21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

Immediately after Christ asked Peter to follow him, Peter shifts the attention to John -- "what about him?" Why?

Maybe Peter was concerned about going it alone. He didn't want to do this by himself.

Maybe he was fearful of the cost and was acting from the old cliche' "misery loves company."

Maybe Peter felt like Jesus was singling him out -- because of what he had done.

In any case, he had lost focus. In our lives, we compare ourselves to others. We spend way too much time worrying about what others are doing. We look at how others perform at work. We gauge our level of involvement in the church by what others are doing. We want someone else to do the work. We want to make sure that we don't do more than our "fair share."

We can learn from Jesus' response to Peter. Jesus basically tells Peter that what John does is none of his business. When it comes to God's call on our life, it doesn't matter what others are doing. Jesus repeats his call to Peter even more emphatically, "You must follow me." He issues that call to us -- my plan for others is none of your concern, you must follow me and the plan that I have for your life. God wants us to focus on his purpose for OUR life.

Our Challenge

Throughout scripture Jesus has called us to "go and make disciples." We are to be his witnesses to the world -- to reach them for Christ so that he can restore their relationship with God.

Our families need us.

Our churches need us.

Our neighbors need us.

Our communities need us.

Our world needs us.

Jesus is calling us -- commanding us.

YOU lead your family.

YOU use your gifts within the church and get involved.

YOU love and help your neighbors.

YOU get involved and serve your community.

YOU become engaged in making a difference in the world.

It doesn't matter what others do ... YOU must follow Jesus.

Rights vs. Relationships

"No one is going to tell me what to do. I'll do as I please." Someone dear to me communicated this adamantly. The issue at stake was their rights. The particular right in question dealt with their freedom to dress as they choose. They were within their rights, but with our choices also comes consequences. Their choice in this case led to hurt, embarassment, and misconceptions among those they love and among other casual acquaintenances and general public.

Our behavior can be categorized as immoral, amoral, and moral. Some behavior is clearly wrong -- immoral -- and the Bible calls this sin. Other behavior is good -- moral -- and clearly encouraged throughout scripture. What about amoral behavior -- that which is neither good nor bad in itself? What about disputable matters?

In some cases, our behavior may be in an effort to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus hung out with the prostitutes, drunkards, and irreligious in an effort to reach them and restore them to a relationship with God. He faced ridicule because of this. We may behave in a way that is questionable to others, but if it is not a "sin" (i.e., disputable) and it is in an effort to reach others for Christ, then we should withstand the ridicule for the cause.

This was definitely not the case for my friend. There was no intent to spread the gospel.

In some cases, the impact of our behavior is dependent upon context or culture. Let's look at drinking as an example. Notwithstanding the dangers of alchohol, I do not think it is a sin to drink (in moderation). Nevertheless, the context should be taken into consideration. You shouldn't drink around underaged youth when it may result in them participating. Clearly it is against the law for people under the age of 21 to drink. You shouldn't drink around an alchoholic who's trying to stop. This behavior could push them over the edge. Paul gives us the guidelines for this in Romans 14. He closes this chapter with:

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.

Do not destroy God's work for the sake of ... you fill in the blank. Do not destroy the work of God for your rights.

A quick aside, there is certainly a debate regarding whether you should drink around a legalist who personally thinks it's a sin, and there's no real danger of you causing them to "stumble," but rather they're simply forcing you to embrace their rules.

In the case of my friend, I believe the behavior was having a negative impact on impressionable people. This was not simply a case of people trying to impose their morals upon my friend.

We've heard the phrase, "What would Jesus do?" Paul gives us a clear picture in Philippians 2:3-8:

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Jesus humbled himself. One translation says that he "emptied" himself. He gave up his rights. He owed us nothing. He was the very Son of God and a King of Heaven and Earth. Yet, he gave up his rights for a relationship -- a relationship with you and me.

Jesus calls us to love one another. Doesn't our relationships with others matter more than our rights.