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A Friend Nearby
March 27th, 2017
Matthew 26:57-68
Every summer evening the neighborhood kids would gather for a game of “Truth, Dare, Double Dare, Promise or Repeat.” The game was geared to get people to take risky dares. The standard dare involved dear Mrs. Burns. You had to go up the steps, ring her doorbell, and run for cover before getting caught. All your “friends” hid in safe spots to watch you perform the dare.
I can remember looking up at the big scary house. After a big gulp, I sneaked up the stairs, reached up, and quickly rang the bell. I turned to scamper away. But, to my horror, I heard the doorknob turn. I froze and couldn’t move.
In Matthew 26, we see Peter hanging back at a distance following Jesus’ arrest. Most of the other disciples had scattered. He waited to see what was going to happen. Jesus faced the most difficult day of His life and Peter stayed near. No one is perfect, certainly not Peter, but he was present.
More importantly, Jesus remains close to us during our difficult days: “closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
Author: Kim D’Amaro
