Luke reports a great difference in the behavior and commitment of two leaders, Jesus Christ and Simon Peter. While Jesus, despite betrayal and impending death, had resolved to stand for his cause, Simon Peter ran away. And that, even though he had insisted, rock-solid, that he would never deny his Master. He was even willing to die for him. In the end he denied him three times before the night was over.
Mt. 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Peter denied Christ three times at a small fire in a courtyard. A mirror of the state of his heart. But his commitment had already run out in the Garden of Gethsemane. There he already felt helpless and powerless to keep his promise (Mt 26:36-46).
Jesus in Gethsemane
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
How does commitment weaken?
When commitment weakens, coworkers develop like Peter did:
- Phase 1: He began to distance himself.
Luke 22:54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
"And Peter followed afar off" (Luke 22:54). That is not what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 16:24. Peter was still following Christ, but incognito. He was no longer willing to die for him, as he had once said he would.
- Phase 2: He sought the company of others.
Luke 22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
"Peter sat down among them" (Luke 22:55). Jesus' strongest disciple, after Jesus' arrest, did not sit with his own people, but with people who did not know Jesus. He was torn between the indifferent and the committed.
- Phase 3: His faith began to crumble.
Luke 22:56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
"And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not" (Luke 22:57). His words now revealed his weakness, even among men and women who posed no immediate threat to him.
- Phase 4: His zeal turns into denial.
Luke 22:60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
"And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest" (Luke 22:60). Peter rejected any connection with Jesus. His words testified to his rejection.
How can commitment develop?
There are four levels of commitment. Jesus always related to the level of commitment people were ready for.
- Level 1: Come and see
John 1:39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
This is the level of curiosity (John 1:35-51). At this level, dealing with Jesus is light and easy. When people are here, the leader watches for chemistry and faithfulness.
- Level 2: Come and follow me
Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
This is the level of commitment (Luke 5:1-11). Jesus' words now call for a certain commitment. The person is ready to be challenged. When people are here, the leader watches for hunger and teachability.
- Level 3: Come and give yourself up
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
This is the level of conviction (Mark 8:34-35). This step is only appropriate once a deep relationship and mutual trust have developed. When people are here, the leader watches for initiative and resolve.
- Level 4: Come and multiply yourselves
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
This is the level of mission (Matthew 28:19-20). Here Jesus calls his people to repeat what he has done with them. When people are here, the leader watches for leadership ability and people skills.