Out Our Way: Greenhorn disciples - 2 Peter 1:16-21

Out our way, a greenhorn cowboy can get easily turned around. I confess, as one of the greenest greenhorns ever to straddle a cowpony, riding the Tiger Ridge area was often confusing as I could barely tell which way was east or west, let alone where we needed to go or how to get back to the truck and trailer. But Charlie knew, because Charlie had been here before. So while I was at a loss and even anxious about finding the way, Charlie was not. He knew the way because he had ridden it before.

The Apostle Peter, like Charlie, had taken on some greenhorn disciples who were often unsure and anxious. They were confused and filled with concern about the journey. They wanted to believe, but it was so hard to overcome their doubts. Like the man who came to ask Jesus to heal his son, but whose doubts were so strong that he cried out "I believe! Help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

  Now these greenhorn believers were in the same boat. They wanted to believe and yet were still filled with doubts. But Peter had ridden this trail before. He reminded them of his own greenhorn days when he too had been at a loss (Matthew 17: 1- 9). Confused and mystified, he had followed Jesus atop the mountain and there heard the Voice of God loud and clear and saw Moses and Elijah with Jesus. He was reminded that the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) all testified to what the Voice he now heard with his own ears declared. "This is My Son ... listen to Him!" 

Now no longer a tenderfoot follower but a seasoned "rider for the brand," Peter shared his story with these new disciples. He reminded them that while they were still new and green and filled with doubts, he was not. He had ridden this trail before. Granted, they did not hear the Voice of God on a mountain, nor did they see Jesus, Moses and Elijah surrounded by God's Glory, but they did see Peter who had been there. They did have a guide who knew the trail because he had ridden it before.

I was a greenhorn cowboy, but I followed one who was not. Even if I was confused and sometimes had my doubts, I trusted Charlie because he had ridden this trail before. I might be lost, but he was not, and as long as I followed Charlie, I knew I would get home. 

I hope I am no longer such a greenhorn disciple, but now and then I need to remember those who have ridden the trail before me and continue to wave me forward with a solid "follow me. I know the way." The Gospels were written by those who rode the trail with Christ, the Epistles were written by those who then turned around and marked the trail for the rest of us. And all around us are women and men whose spiritual depth and obvious faith show them to be old trail hands who have ridden this trail before and now ride beside us.

No matter how green the greenhorn may be, if he or she will saddle up and start the trail, they will find a lot of fellow riders, many of whom have ridden this trail before and truly know the way.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Brother John

I have been reminded that some who read these columns are unfamiliar with western terms and phrases, so let me explain the term, "ride for the brand." In the old days, loyalty to your outfit was paramount. In my usage, I refer to the "brand" as the Kingdom of God and not to a particular church, denomination, or institution. The Boss is Christ and all who are His are part of the "brand." Hope that helps.

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].