As the Lord prepared for his death, he told his disciples that they were not yet ready to join him where he was going.1 They had not yet dedicated themselves fully to following his example. He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) They all claimed they would remain faithful to him even unto death.2 And yet, all of them abandoned Jesus in his time of greatest trial.
Like the disciples at the time of his death, it is likely that you still haven’t decided to follow him above all else, even if you think you have. Until you have faced and passed the test of the sacrifice of all things, up to and including your life, how can you be confident that you know his character?
Footnotes
- 1. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. (John 13:33) ↩
- 2. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matthew 26:32-35) ↩