When Jesus was tortured, tried and killed, Peter kept his distance. While the other disciples ran away after His arrest, he stuck around long enough to deny his Lord and Savior. Are we that different from Peter? We seem quite intrigued by this Jesus fellow, but are careful to follow Him at a distance. We want to see the Light of the world, but content ourselves peeking at Him from the shadows. We root for Him as He goes toe-to-toe with the principalities, but ultimately place our bets on the power found in power, and not the power found in weakness. We want to touch the hem of His robe, but are afraid someone will think we have Jesus cooties. Do we sit in church on Sunday declaring, “My God and Savior,” and then whisper, “I never knew you,” in the break room on Monday? Sadly, we often act just like Peter getting close enough to feel the warmth of His presence, yet far enough away that He can’t hear our chilling Dei-nial. Run from Him, or run to Him, but don’t make Him gargle your lukewarm faith.

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3: 15-16)