“I have decided to follow Jesus,” is the name of a song that was sung in the church, back in the day. It speaks of a decision, that of following Jesus. Peter and his brother made that decision that day on the lakeside. A close personal relationship begins with a decision, but it also continues with one. A story in the New Testament book of John talks about very difficult teaching that Jesus gave. His words offended many; in fact, they sealed the idea in their minds that he was out of his mind. The Bible says that many—or a great company, in one translation—of his disciples turned away from following him.
In 2008, I was confronted with an offer to, follow me. This decision was precluded by an earlier decision to “cast off constraints,” (according to one biblical translation) and go for God. In 2012, another decision was made (one I continue to wrestle with unto this day) to leave everything familiar, and follow Jesus. That decision has led to many difficult decisions, as recently as 2020.
Each decision has been more challenging than the last. This is causing me to see different levels of commitment in a close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Do you suppose that Peter’s relationship with Jesus was the same as it was in the beginning, that day on the lakeside? Do you think the difficult teaching of Jesus in the story found in the book of John had the same impact on him as it did on the disciples who walked away?
The story continues when the disciples walked away with Jesus asking the 12-disciples if they too were going to walk away; Peter responded by asking where would they go? What he said next is the foundation of a close personal relationship; only you have the words of life. This means that Peter had grown in his relationship with the Lord. In another place, following Peter’s answer to another question put to the disciples, Jesus joyfully responded by telling Peter that the Father had revealed that to him.
Perhaps Peter was aware that he was building a close personal relationship with the godhead, perhaps he was not. The point is, Peter’s relationship with the Lord was becoming stronger. This is what enabled Peter to keep making decisions to follow the Lord. This lack of strength of a relationship is what caused the other disciples to decide to walk away.
He is a test. Since you began your unexpected journey, have you drawn closer to the Lord, or are you at the same place where you began? A living, loving relationship will grow.