Peter in particular seems to have had a proclivity for a recurring “impulse control disorder,” the therapy for which Jesus prescribed was an hour of flesh-denying, spirit-strengthening prayer. All three nodded off during prayer––three times! What happens when we drowse instead of casting our fears and cares on God? We retain our fears and rely …
Exchange Your Weapons For Invitations
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 …
How God Makes Friends
While Peter did his Lancelot imitation on a man he perceived as a threat, Jesus saw him as a man in need. Being more concerned about Malchus’ welfare than his own, Jesus reached out and made him well––evangelism the Jesus way. Jesus’ “enemy love” is always a better apologetic than the sword-swinging aggression of Peter. …
Signposts or Stumbling Blocks?
Our motives for sharing faith should never be to appease God, impress Christians, or oppress non-christians. “Don’t be,” says Brian McLaren, “the ecclesiastical counterpart of a mealtime telemarketer or email spammer barraging people with unwanted messages.” We’re supposed to be signposts that point people toward Jesus not stumbling blocks that trip them up on their …
Sinners in the Hands of Angry Christians
“And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear." — LUKE 22:49-51 This is a case of a “sinner in the hands of an angry Christian”! Not good. A lot of people think Jesus is pretty cool, but his Church––not so much. Go figure! Could their aversion have anything …
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