Quote from Forum Archives on May 21, 2004, 7:00 pm

Posted by: Asn <Asn@...>

What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? "The first," they answered. Matthew 21:28-31 NIV

The audaciousness of Simon Peter is well known. He was never one to let much of anything hold him back. When Jesus came walking across the lake, it was Peter who walked on the water to meet Him! When the Holy Spirit descended on those gathered in the upper room in Acts 2, it was Peter who tackled the task of explaining this amazing encounter to the baffled bystanders. While the other disciples seemed content to pass the lame man at the temple gate, Peter boldly took him by the hand and helped him to his feet. It was this same Simon Peter who told Jesus he would follow Him anywhere, even to the death. Yet in the hours leading up to the crucifixion, he denied Jesus three times. He was willing, but he did not go.

Another Simon was drafted rather unwillingly during the crux of the fray. Simon of Cyrene was coming in from the country when the soldiers conscripted him to carry Jesus' cross. His consternation was certainly understandable: carrying a cross was the work of a condemned man. What would his neighbors think? He wasn't given much of a choice in the beginning, but he had a change of heart on the journey to Golgotha as he encountered a condemned Man with only love for His accusers.

Heavenly Father, I admit there are times I relate to Simon Peter. I dive with gusto into what You have asked me to do, only to find that I have not stopped to consider the cost, and I lose heart. At other times, I relate more to Simon of Cyrene. I get drug kicking and screaming into what is right but painful, and find peace in the perseverance. I have learned through it all that You are able to redeem me and to heal my broken places by Your grace, if only I will allow You to. I thank You, God, that You will see me through to the end. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Andrea Neumann
Copyright May, 2004