Hot or Cold

Matthew 26:32-34

32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

The night Jesus was arrested; He told his disciples that they would be offended by him that very night. Peter, with pride said, he would never forsake Jesus, but Jesus told Peter he would deny him three times before the rooster crowd that morning. Have you ever been afraid to speak up about your faith for Christ? All the disciples were scared and all went hiding when Jesus was arrested.

I think we can all relate to Peter’s story. He was a very outspoken, passionate person. He obviously, never counted to ten many times. He simply acted on instinct. When he cut the soldiers’ ear off it was out of passion and love for Jesus. It just wasn’t shown in the right way. Peter would even deny Jesus that very same night. How could someone risk his own life one second and the other second deny he knew Jesus?

There will be times when we will be on fire for Jesus and would do anything for him. Other times we are going to slip and fall. I think Jesus was allowing us to see how he wants us to be; either hot or cold. He doesn’t want us to be on the sidelines and live lukewarm lives. He would rather us deny him or accept him as Lord and be completely devoted to his commandments. Dr. Bailey Smith said this in his sermon today: “God would rather you be lost and take no one else with you than to be lukewarm and take hundreds down with you to hell.”

Dear Jesus, help me to have a passion to live out my life for you in the right way. Give me everything I need to be a light for you. Help me to not be lukewarm and sit on the sidelines while just a few do the work. Help me to plant the seeds of hope to a lost and dark world today! In Jesus’ name, Amen!