Discipleship 101: Taking Risks and Facing Failure

Taking Risks

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:25-33)

Is this risk ok’d by God in the Bible? Do people I trust agree I should take the risk? Have I plumbed the depths of my own heart?

Risk = greater relationship with Jesus The point we often miss is that Peter was actually safer on the lake in a storm with Jesus than in the boat with the rest of his friends. Of all the disciples in the boat that night, the only one who walked on water with Jesus, even momentarily, was Peter. He heard those corrective words from Jesus, to be sure; but Peter learned something that none of the others learned that day... I’m just wondering what happened on the shore after it was all over. I picture them cooking fish, and Peter’s drying off. Jesus looks over at Peter and smiles, kinda winks. Peter looks up and nods his head. That’s a wink and a smile that nobody else could share except Peter and Jesus. When we take these risks for the kingdom, we get relationship. We get a depth of relationship with God that we didn’t have before. Could it be that one of the avenues to deeper relationship with Jesus is taking the risks that Jesus asks you to take – following him where he bids you to follow? (from Pure Scum )

Facing Failure

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. ( Mark 14:27-31) “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” ( Luke 22:31-34)

God knows we will fail God believes in us while we fail God leads us though we fail

Jesus might say: It’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you do next Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Proverbs 24:16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again...