Courage to Stand for Jesus 为耶稣挺身而出的勇气

[Dexu Xia]

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38

Today's Scripture John13：36-38； 21：18-19

Today's Insights  In John 13:36-38, Jesus is focused on Simon Peter and his need for courage in the hours and days ahead. The gracious warning He gives to him (v. 38) should’ve gotten the fisherman’s attention, but rather than leaning into the strength of the Master, Peter sought to face those hours in his own strength. Even in the moment when he seemed to be desperately trying to keep his promise to “lay down [his life] for” Christ” (v. 37)—by cutting off the ear of Malchus, servant of the High Priest (John 18:10)—his attempt failed, and he ran away with the other disciples (Mark 14:50). Only in God’s strength can we stand firm and have courage in difficult times and places. Peter would exhibit that courage when confronted by the religious leaders for preaching in Jesus’ name. At that moment, even they had to acknowledge the influence of Christ on His once-fallen, now-restored disciple (Acts 4:13). His influence in our life can also help us face life’s challenges with courageous faith.

Today's Devotional  In ad 155, the early church father Polycarp was threatened with death by fire for his faith in Christ. He replied, “For eighty and six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my king who saved me?” Polycarp’s response can be an inspiration for us when we face extreme trial because of our faith in Jesus, our King.

Just hours before Christ’s death, Peter boldly pledged His allegiance to Him: “I will lay down my life for you” (John 13:37). Jesus, who knew Peter better than Peter knew himself, replied, “Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (v. 38). However, after Jesus’ resurrection, the same one who’d denied Him began to serve Him courageously and would eventually glorify Him through his own death (see 21:16-19).

Are you a Polycarp or a Peter? Most of us, if we’re honest, are more of a Peter with a “courage outage”—a failure to speak or act honorably as a believer in Jesus. Such occasions—whether in a classroom, boardroom, or breakroom—needn’t indelibly define us. When those failures occur, we must prayerfully dust ourselves off and turn to Jesus, the one who died for us and lives for us. He’ll help us be faithful to Him and courageously live for Him daily in difficult places.  

Reflect & Pray    When do you need extra doses of courage to stand for Jesus? What do you find helpful in your witness for Him?

Heavenly Father, please give me Your strength to live boldly as a believer in Your Son.  By Arthur Jackson

凡不背起自己的十字架跟随我的，就不配作我的门徒。（马太福音 10:38）

今日经文：约翰福音 13:36-38；21:18-19

今日感悟：在约翰福音 13:36-38 中，耶稣关注的是西门彼得，以及他在未来几个小时和几天里所需要的勇气。祂对彼得的慈爱警告（第 38 节）本应引起这位渔夫的注意，但彼得没有依靠主的帮助，而是试图靠自己的力量去面对那些时刻。即使在他似乎拼命想要兑现“为基督舍命”（37节）的承诺，砍掉大祭司仆人马勒古的耳朵（约翰福音 18:10）的那一刻，他的尝试也失败了，他和其余门徒一起逃跑了（马可福音 14:50）。只有靠着神的力量，我们才能在艰难的时刻和环境中站稳脚跟，不至胆怯。当彼得因奉耶稣的名传道而受到宗教领袖的质问时，他展现出了这种勇气。在那一刻，就连他们也不得不承认基督对这位曾经跌倒、如今已蒙救赎的门徒的影响（使徒行传 4:13）。基督在我们生命中的影响，也能帮助我们勇敢地凭信心面对生活的挑战。

 今日灵修：公元 155 年，早期教会教父坡旅甲因信仰基督而面临被火烧死的威胁。他回答说：“我服侍祂八十六年，祂从未亏待我。我怎能亵渎我的君王，我的救主呢？” 当我们因信仰耶稣，我们的君王，而面临极大的考验时，坡旅甲的回答可以激励我们。

在基督去世前几个小时，彼得勇敢地向祂表达了忠诚：“我愿意为你舍命”（约翰福音 13:37）。耶稣比彼得更了解他自己，祂回答说：“我实实在在地告诉你，鸡叫以前，你会三次不认我！”（38节）然而，耶稣复活后，这位曾经否认他的人开始勇敢地服侍他，最终甚至以自己的死亡荣耀了他（参见21:16-19）。 你是像波利卡普还是像彼得？如果我们诚实地面对自己，我们大多数人更像彼得，有时会“勇气不足”，无法像信徒那样正直地说话或行事。这样的时刻，无论是在教室、会议室还是休息室，都不必永远定义我们。当这些失败发生时，我们必须祷告，重新振作起来，转向耶稣，他为我们而死，也为我们而活。他会帮助我们忠于他，并在艰难的环境中每天勇敢地为他而活。

反思与祷告 你何时需要额外的勇气来为耶稣站出来？你觉得哪些方面对你为他作见证有帮助？

天父，求你赐予我力量，使我能够勇敢地活出你儿子跟随者的模样。

作者：亚瑟杰克逊