Are We Ready?

Based on Luke 22:31-34 and John 21:15-22

“Lord, I am ready,” said Jesus’ disciple,
“Both to go with Thee to prison and death,
Gladly I’ll lay down my life in Thy service,
Yield up for Thy name my very last breath.”

Sadly, the Lord looked upon His disciple,
“Later today thou shalt Me thrice deny,
Thou art not ready yet, though thou art willing,
First to thyself and thy sin thou must die.”

Often, we say as the eager disciple,
“Lord, I am ready whatever the cost,
Bid me go anywhere, do something for Thee,
Oh, let me spend and be spent in Thy cause.”

Looks still the Master upon His disciples,
Knows He their weakness as they cannot know,
Knows that unless they lean wholly upon Him,
They’ll be defeated by their mighty foe.

Lovingly still Jesus brings His disciples,
Unto the place where they count all as loss,
Unto the place where all self-dependence
And all self-seeking is put on the cross.

Jesus still prays for His struggling disciples,
Shows them their weakness and offers His strength,
Purges them gently of all prideful boasting,
Till He alone is the end of their faith.

“Lovest thou Me?” Jesus asks His disciples,
Still He forgives when we falter and fail,
Still bids us follow, forsaking all other,
Resting in His strength alone we prevail.