“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
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After the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX, they held a big parade and celebrated in every way. They enjoyed the limelight and all the attention, but commentators have already started asking questions about whether or not the Eagles are good enough to win again next year. It won’t be easy because several players are free agents and can leave for another team for more money. It’s not an easy decision because an NFL player may only have 10 years of good playing time, so many of them often focus on the money, though unselfish or loyal players sometimes decide to stay for less money or a chance to win another championship. Coaches often have similar dilemmas, and some are incredibly loyal to one franchise even though they get offers to go elsewhere.
Before Jesus went back to Heaven after His resurrection, He spent 40 days preparing His disciples for the challenges they’d face. Though Jesus has all power in Heaven and on earth, He knew churches wouldn’t prosper unless they had loyal leaders and followers. In spite of the large crowds that ate the fish and bread when Jesus fed thousands, the workers in the early churches were a small group, as they are today. Lots of people may enjoy hearing a Sunday sermon or listening to the choir sing praise and worship, but it’s often not easy to find volunteers for the nursery even though Jesus spoke about the importance of bringing children to hear about God.
When Jesus first recruited Simon and his brother, Andrew, to be disciples, Simon was a tough, hard-working commercial fisherman who tended to be selfish, unstable and hot-tempered. After the 12 disciples worked with Jesus a while, you’d think they would have been grateful for the opportunity and shouldn’t have been demanding. Instead, Simon Peter asked what reward he and the other disciples would receive. “Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?'” (Matthew 19:27). As he spoke, he also spoke on behalf of the other disciples who wanted to know what they’d get.
As time passed, Jesus taught Simon Peter and the other apostles to think less of themselves and more about God’s plan to bring salvation to people. After several childish outbursts by Simon, he impressed Jesus one day by giving a good answer to a question. After Jesus tested His disciples by asking them who they thought He was, Simon shined and Jesus gave him a new name. “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven'” (Matthew 16:16-17).
When Simon Peter denied Christ before the crucifixion, he felt like a failure. But Jesus forgave him and reassured him that he could be a brave and loyal follower of Christ for the long-term if he focused on loving God and serving others. When Jesus appeared to His disciples the third time after his resurrection, He asked another important question. “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs'” (John 21:15).
In other words, He asks us to show our loyalty to God by sharing God’s Word, living for Jesus and keeping churches going until Christ returns. He doesn’t expect or need our perfection, just our loyal hearts that are willing to work for His Kingdom. Worldly desires will always try to pull and distract us, but we should stay loyal to the One who set us free by following His Word in every area of life.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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