Adventure

When Jesus’ sandals first stirred the dust within the same vicinity as Peter, he was just another fisherman trying to earn an honest living with the rest of his family. As of this point in Peter’s life, adventure was just an imaginary land he visited during the lulls on the fishing boat when the slow rock of the waves helped him slip into the confines of his mind. In his heart, Peter was strong, courageous, and adventurous, but, up to this point, he had not had the chance to live it out loud. Oh how he wished to live it out loud, to fight for good, to take up a sword for righteousness. The honest truth was that his calloused hands were aching to make their mark on the world, to leave just one fingerprint that people would remember.

Others could not know the man Peter really was on the inside. To the rest of society, he was just another fisherman, but Jesus knew the brave and somewhat foolish heart that beat within the sun-worn man’s chest. When Peter looked up from his nets, he saw the Nazarene smiling at him. This was no ordinary smile; it was the sort of smile that a grandfather gives to the grandchild who is trying to act so grown and strong and yet has no idea how. This man whom Peter would soon call "Lord" had the look of wisdom. How did such a young peasant seem so knowing? Peter’s core was shaken. It was strange, but Peter knew that the Man who stood before him could do something no other could: He could see into his heart and know his desires. Jesus then commanded Peter to follow Him, and Peter’s longing heart leapt with joy.

The years melted away, and Peter’s Master had prepared His disciples for great things, but Peter was still anxiously waiting for the day when they would change the world. On their long walks through the valleys, Peter sometimes would drift away from what Jesus was teaching and back into the confines of his mind. There, Jesus was a mighty ruler, a political ruler, and Peter was His right hand man, fighting for the good of mankind. On one such day, Peter, in his imagination, was in the middle of raising an army of strong courageous men for his Master. Jesus cleared His throat, and Peter came back from his daydream. “Peter, listen, I must prepare you for what is to come.” Jesus placed His hand on Peter’s shoulder so as to keep his attention. “I must suffer greatly, and I will die and will rise on the third day.” Peter’s heart sank as his visions of greatness dimmed, “No, my Lord, this will never happen to you. We will protect you.” Before Peter could tell Jesus his new plans to spread their cause, Jesus’ kind expression changed into a stern one, “Get behind me, Satan.” Peter’s eyes filled with tears. At first, he could not understand why his Master would say such a thing. Jesus then explained to Peter that his humanistic desires and dreams were not the things that will win the war on sin. Although Peter’s motives were innocently wrought from his somewhat childish mindset and imagination, and although he wanted the best for his Lord, he was not thinking from the mindset that Jesus had been teaching him to use because he was too busy trying to have things work out Peter’s way and by Peter’s will. However, it was not the will of Peter that would prevail, but the will of the Lord, and if Peter wished to live a life worthy of his dreams, he would have stop living an internal life of bravery and adventure; he would have to start living a public life that mirrored God’s will. Then Jesus said something contrary to any of Peter’s preconceived notions on how to live life:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” –Matthew 16:24

After all these years, Peter received his first glimpse into the sort of adventure Jesus was really planning for his people. It was far beyond any of his wildest dreams. He finally began to understand the magnitude of the adventure they were to embark upon. He also began to realize the bravery and courage he would need, and his inner warrior paled in comparison.

What an adventure would be ahead? The adventure of life in Christ: the life we are all invited into.