Brothers James and John (also in the garden that night) were no better at charming people toward Jesus than was Peter. They tipped their hand when they made a bid to edge the others out for the top posts in Jesus’ administration (seats “at his right hand and left”). Not only that, these were the same two who volunteered to incinerate Samaritans with fire from heaven.
While Peter’s weapon of choice was a sword; theirs was lightening––neither are tools of the evangelism trade! Eventually, schooled by the Spirit, all three exchanged their weapons for invitations. Peter came to understand that the lovingly wielded Spirit’s sword is more effective than any soldier’s blade. And the Sons of Thunder learned to love their enemies rather than cremate them!
– Originally published in Reaching Rahab: Joining God In His Quest For Friends
barney wiget 