From Matthew 26:30-35 Keeping the Main thing the Main thing.

Jesus, has just established the New Covenant, and instituted His supper. He has washed His Disciple’s feet. He has prophesied Judas’ betrayal and taken the final steps before Gethsemane. Now, He tells them that ALL of them will fall away from Him – at least in some way – before the night is over. One wonders what they were thinking.

In response, Peter, so much like me, jumps to his own defense, if not that of them all. “Even if I must die with you” he says, “I will not deny you!”. The text says they all said the same thing.

It is easy to be brave in theory. Several times in my life I’ve heard preachers press upon people something like: “If someone were to walk in here right now and under threat of death demand you renounce Christ – what would you do?” This is said as though 1-They know what they themselves would do (are they better than Peter and the rest?); and, 2-That Joe average Christian is to be shamed if they find any such weakness in themselves, as though it is somehow unthinkable.

In an effort to either stir up or display some sort of false bravado, emphasis is placed upon people rather than upon Christ. Upon our goodness, our bravery, our fortitude, rather than upon His. But not so Jesus. At this moment, He does not take the time to berate the men He knows far better than they know themselves. Larger things are at hand.

So it is I find it fascinating that Jesus did not argue with the Disciples at this point. He could have pressed the issue. He could have said “listen to me, I am the Lord and I am telling you…” But He left it. It makes me wonder how often I feel the need to press my understanding home when others are so obviously wrong – at least to me? Jesus knew there were larger issues to address at this moment than to correct their errant self-understanding. And it is the greater part of wisdom to know when and how to press certain points home, and when to leave them.

At this point, Jesus needed to go to The Garden to pray. He needed to pour out His own heart to the Father. He needed to face His own human reluctance to go to the Cross. He needed the angels to come and strengthen Him. These were all far more pressing than being “right.”

Heavenly Father – help me to have the wisdom of Christ in my own interactions with others. To able to see what is most necessary at the moment, and what is not. Especially in seeing what I need in my own soul at the moment of debate, over what I perceive is the other’s “need” – when winning that argument would mean nothing in the long run. When it would not end in the other actually growing in grace. Help me to fix my own eyes on the Cross. To seek the greater cause at hand. To submit myself to you, more than seeking that others submit to my opinions, views, understanding or knowledge. To not be distracted from my own obedience, by trying to press others to take up theirs. Let me be more like Jesus. To remember the Kingdom will not suffer if I don’t win my point. For the Kingdom rests in the Cross, and not in me. There is only one Hill to die on, and that one is Calvary. Christ, has already died there. For me, and for them.