Readings for the day: Matthew 16, Mark 8:11-38, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:18-27
(Inspired by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch and their book, ReJesus)
A man trudges up the dusty road. His feet are tired. His sandals about worn through. His robes are torn in several places. His face is streaked with sweat. His hair is more salt than pepper. He’s got scars all over his body. He limps. He’s hunched over in chronic pain. His eyes glance up at the sign above the door. An inn. A place to rest his weary bones. He opens the door and walks in. Orders a drink. Orders a bit of food. Finds a place at an open table and waits. Several minutes later, the door opens again. The man at the table waves him over. He comes and sits. Tells the waiter, “I’ll have what he’s having.”
“How are you doing, Paul?” Peter asks. “You look tired.”
“I am at that”, Paul replies. “I’ve been shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, and left for dead. My right arm barely works anymore. My left hip will never be the same. My back aches every morning. I’ve traveled more miles than I dare to count.”
“You definitely have logged some hours, brother. The reports we hear back in Jerusalem about the churches you’ve planted and the cities you’ve reached with the gospel are a great encouragement. As are the funds you’ve raised to help sustain us in our suffering. But how are you doing? How’s your heart these days?” Peter asks.
“About the same as yours, I imagine. The Corinthians are fighting among themselves. The Galatians are abandoning the true faith. I am being attacked by fellow Christians. My leadership is being questioned. I fear all this work has been for naught. What about you? How are you feeling these days?” Paul responds.
”Life in Jerusalem is still incredibly hard. We are persecuted by both the Romans and the Jews. Everywhere we go, we have targets on our backs. They kick down the doors where we gather. They drag us before the Sanhedrin. They throw us in jail. You probably heard about James? Herod got hold of him. It was ugly. His death was a huge blow to us all.” Peter shares.
“What keeps you going,?” Paul asks. Peter replies, “I keep thinking back to that day when Jesus asked us, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ I’m not sure where the words came from but almost without thinking I said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!’ Jesus told us this revelation did not come from man but from our Father in heaven and He went on to say that He would build His church on the rock of this confession. Initially people thought He might mean me. My name means “pebble” after all! But just look at me! I’m no rock. I’m about as broken and worn down as they come.”
“Yeah, and if what I hear is true, you tried to stop Jesus from talking about the cross?” Paul says with a smirk. Peter smiles ruefully. “Not my finest moment.” Paul claps Peter on the back. “We’ve all been there, my friend.”
Peter goes on, “You know, in my darkest moments when it seems like I just can’t go on, I think of Him. Hanging on that cross. Gasping for breath. Struggling for life. I think of the morning I ran to the tomb and found it empty. I think of Him appearing to me after His resurrection. Forgiving me for abandoning Him and calling me back into ministry. All of my struggles. All of my suffering. All of my pain. All of my heartaches and disappointments. All my fears and failures. It’s all been worth it, you know? Just for the sake of knowing and serving Him.” Tears start running down Paul’s face. He whispers, “I know exactly what you’re saying. I wouldn’t trade that moment outside of Damascus for the world. Everything I’ve done and everywhere I’ve been since that day has been an absolute privilege. But I have to confess, I sure wish I could have been there with you. To walk with Him and talk with Him.” Peter reaches out and grabs his hand. “You are with us now. That’s all that matters.”
Imagine sitting at the next table, watching this exchange. Watching these two giants of the faith swap stories and encourage each other. Imagine them praying together before they leave, not knowing if this would be the last time they would see each other. Who knows if such a meeting ever took place? What I do know is this...for two thousand years, faithful men and women have taken these words of Jesus to heart. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) They have braved all kinds of dangers. Faced all kinds of persecution. Suffered beyond belief. They have paid the ultimate price in many cases all to bring the gospel to the world. In so doing, they have received a crown of glory not worth comparing to the struggles of this world. They have given up fame and fortune but gained an eternal inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven. By their testimony, the church has been founded and established in this world. And the gates of hell don’t stand a chance.