My Name Is Simon Peter

Make sure you check the end to see how this sermon should be delivered. It is a dramatical presentation.

Hello, fellow brothers and sisters in our Lord Christ Jesus,

My name is Simon. You probably know me better as Peter. No doubt you know the stories of our Lord and Savior. I’m here today to tell you my account of this man named Jesus.

I guess I should give my good brother Andrew the credit for me finding the Messiah. He came and told me of Jesus, and so we went to see him. Several days later we had just spent the night fishing without catching so much as one fish. The crowds began to gather around our master and so we got in the boat and pushed away from shore a bit. Then Jesus wanted us to attempt to fish again. We were really tired, from the previous fruitless night, but our Lord came through. We hauled in so many fish the boat began to sink. It was there and then, that our Lord asked me to follow him. He said that he would make us fishers of men. I did not know the full meaning of that until just recently.

That’s how my life was changed forever. But wait, there’s so much more to this story. As we began following our Lord from town to town and city to city, we began to understand, who this man was. He began to teach and to perform miracles. I’m not just talking any simple miracle mind you. People who were blind could now see. People, who were lame, began to dance for joy because our Lord had healed them. There were twelve of us in all that witnessed these miracles on a daily basis.

I remember one time in particular when Jairus, the synagogue ruler came to us. Others came and told him that his daughter was dead. Jesus told the man, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” James, John, and myself, accompanied Jesus to his house. The people were all in tears, because of the girl’s death. Jesus told them that she was merely sleeping. But they just laughed at him. But, do you know what? Jesus was right. The girl rose and ate with us that evening.

One time I remember when we were with our Lord and he was teaching us, he asked me a question. Something within me knew the answer. He asked me who the Son of Man was? I told him, “You are the Christ, Son of the living God.” It was then, that they began calling me Peter, the “ROCK” on which he would build his church. That is why I am before you, here today, to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Once, when we were in the boat, we saw something coming toward us in the mist. We we’re terrified, until he spoke. I asked him to bid me to come, and he did. I tell you the truth, as I stand here today, that by faith I walked on the waves. However, a thought came, only a brief thought. I began to sink, but Jesus rescued me.

I was beginning to see that this truly was God come to us in human flesh. Jesus was still human too did you know that? I remember how he reacted when we found out of John the Baptists beheading. Our Lord was so troubled. He cried, and mourned over the loss of John. He even withdrew in solitude from all of us. And yet, when the crowds followed him, he still had compassion on them and healed their sick. He even fed them from nothing but a few fish and some bread.

I guess the moment that I truly knew that he was the Son of God, was when we went up on the mountain. I saw with my own two eyes, Jesus’ face shining bright as the sun. Then we saw, Moses and Elijah standing there with him. At that very moment I heard a voice, so powerful and yet comforting. I remember it as if it were yesterday. “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

That’s when it all began. The Lord began preparing us for his death. But, we never understood what he meant. I remember that night in the upper room, when he told us again of his death. I meant it so much that I would die for him. He told me that I would fall away, but I knew that I wouldn’t. When that traitor Judas came into the garden to arrest him, I tried to stop him. I drew my sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus. Jesus stopped me, and so they took him. I followed them at a distance. I was outside warming by the fire, when that very first question pierced my soul. “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” I denied it. Then the second time as well. The third man challenged me saying I saw you in the garden. Something within me was different. I felt ashamed. I felt fear for my own life. So, I must confess before you here today brothers, that three times I denied knowing our Lord. I heard a rooster crow, and then I remembered our Lord’s words. I was torn in two that day. I wandered around aimlessly for what seemed like an eternity. Searching for meaning, searching for anything that would give me a hope.