Of all the men of the bible, today’s is perhaps my favorite. Possibly because I think I am most like him.
He is brash, impetuous and often is like a bull in a china shop. He speaks his mind but many times without considering the consequences. His name is Simon Peter.
Growing up as a Catholic I was taught much about this man that was not true. That he was the first pope, and the main apostle over all the others, because he had the keys to the kingdom.
But in studying the scriptures we find that Peter was more like us than many would like to admit.
The first glimpse that we catch of Peter is when Andrew, his brother, brought him to the Savior. That is John's account, John 1:40-42. That is when he became a disciple; but he did not leave everything at that time and follow Christ. He waited until he got another call
I think we all can learn a lesson right here—that it is not every one who is called to be a disciple of Jesus that is called to leave his or her occupation and become His follower entirely or go into full time ministry.
I believe there are many self-made preachers or pastors—man-made preachers or pastors—and this is the reason why so many fail and suffer burnout. They see the ministry as a vocation, a job, and not a calling
No one who was called by God has ever failed, or has ever broken down in their ministry; but when a person runs before he is sent, I believe they will fail.
Many are called to be His disciples but not everyone is called to the full time ministry or pastorate. Everyone has a different gift and I believe a different mission for Christ
Now, we find, in the fifth chapter of Luke, and also in the fourth chapter of Matthew, where Peter got his calling to leave everything and follow the Lord.
Tradition says that Peters dad died when he was very young and was taken under the wings of a man named Zebedee and when he got older, he formed a fishing business with Zebedee’s two sons James and John and became quite successful.
He was out with his brother and partners fishing one day, when Jesus came along and told them to cast their net, or to launch out into the deep and cast their net into the sea.
"But," says Peter, "we have toiled all night and caught nothing."
"Nevertheless," commanded Jesus, "let down your nets."
At the word of the Lord they did so, and were successful, and when they got ashore Peter was so humbled by the amount of fish they had caught, he told Jesus: “depart from me for I am a sinful man”. Jesus had done this to show what He was calling them to do from that day forward.
From now on you will be fishers of men.
From that day, Peter never left the Lords side. Along with Peter came his brother Andrew and also two other fishermen, James and his brother John.
At that first calling Jesus changed Peter’s name. It was originally Simon or Simeon which means hearing. But Jesus said from now on you will be called Peter in the Greek or Cephas in the Aramaic. Both names mean rock
The name fits Peter well. Tradition tells us that Peter was the oldest apostle. A large man and strong, as one would expect from someone who made his living as a seaman.
But I think it may also have much to do with his character and perhaps even his stubbornness.
He and Jesus became very close, and while we all like to think that Jesus and God treat everyone the same, it is clear from scripture that Jesus did in fact favor Peter along with James and John as an inner circle of trusted companions.
Peter was so close, that we find hints that Peter may have sold his house in his native town of Bethsaida and purchased another one in Capernaum and Jesus was actually living in Peters house in Capernaum along with Peter’s mother in law and his brother Andrew, and that this had become a sort of headquarters for the small band of believers.
Did I say mother in law? Well that would imply that Peter was married wouldn’t it? Evidence against the erroneous teaching by Rome that their clergy should never marry since according to them Peter was the first Pope and clearly was married.
We have possible further evidence in 1 Corinthians 9:5 where Paul says
3 My defense to those who examine me is this:
4 Do we not have a right to eat and drink?
5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
It would seem that Peter was not only married but took along his wife, a fellow believer on his missionary journeys.
Since Peter was from Bethsaida in Galilee it is important to note the characteristic that seems to have distinguished Galileans from all other Jews.
They were independent and full of energy and often ran towards turbulence. They were also more transparent and easier to read than their brothers in the south and had a very distinctive dialect. When questioned the night Jesus was arrested, it was his Galilean dialect that gave him away
This was Peter. Certainly independent and full of energy. And Peter never tried to hide what he was thinking or feeling. You always knew where you stood with Peter. I think that’s a good trait.
Peter often gets a bad rap. One commentary writer describes him as the man with the foot shaped mouth. And I have to admit that Peter often put his foot in his mouth but this was part of his unique character.
One peek at this man’s character can be seen in John’s gospel in chapter 6. Jesus is preaching in the Capernaum synagogue and taught some pretty difficult things that day including eating His flesh and drinking His blood. And That on the last day, He will be the one who raises the godly to life everlasting.
We read in John 6:66 (NASB)
66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.
That was a difficult day for the Lord. Many who had claimed to believe in Him now deserted Him. But what about the apostles?
John 6:67 (NASB) 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?"
There is sadness in that question. I know I may be assuming that, but I cannot imagine having all your disciples leave you and sadness not being a part of the emotions.
But here is where Peter from time to times shines. John 6:68-69 (NASB)
68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.
69 "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."
It’s not often that someone gets the opportunity to encourage Jesus but this is one of those times and we can see just what Jesus saw in Peter that perhaps we might miss.
On another occasion Peter was approached by those who collect the temple tax Matthew 17:24-25 (NASB)
24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?"
25 He said*, "Yes."
That’s the Peter we all know and love. Did he really think he could answer for the Lord? Or to commit Him to paying a tax?
When Peter comes into the house, the Lord knows what he has done and asks a question about Kings collecting taxes from their sons. I imagine Peter knew he had once again put his foot into his mouth. To teach Peter a lesson Jesus tells him to go fishing and the first fish he hooks he is to look in its mouth and there he will find enough money to pay the taxes for both of them. Another humbling lesson from the master.
Another peek at this man’s character can be seen from a story recorded in Matthew 14 of the apostles crossing the Sea of Galilee when a fierce storm arises and threatens to capsize the boat they are in.
If that were not frightening enough, in the middle of the darkness they see Jesus walking towards the boat on the water. At first they think it’s a ghost or a phantom. Jesus tries to reassure them, He is really there, but Peter is not so convinced.
If it is really you, command that I come and walk on the water so that I can come to you. Jesus allows it and Peter steps out of the boat and onto the water. But it does not take long before the waves and wind catch Peter’s attention and he begins to sink.
Save me Lord!
The Lord of course saves him and we know Peter sank because he took his eyes off the Lord. Jesus had to rebuke Peter for his lack of faith. Like Peter we too often take our eyes off Jesus and become concerned about the frightening things around us. We need to stop that - as it is a lack of faith.
But the one thing we dare not miss is that Peter was the only one that was willing to get out of the boat.
On another occasion, Jesus took his inner circle of Peter, James and John to a mountain top and they were allowed to see Jesus in His glorified state along with Elijah and Moses.
This sight was so overwhelming that James and John say nothing. But not Peter. All Peter could think of doing was reverting to what he was familiar with. The building of three tabernacles. Jesus had to correct him on this also.
On yet another occasion, Jesus wanted to know who the people thought He was. They apostles gave the popular thinking of the day. That Jesus was Elijah or one of the prophets and so Jesus asks who they thought he was. Everyone remained silent except Peter: you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
This was perhaps Peter’s greatest moment. Jesus commends him for the answer and tells him it was revealed to Him from God. Jesus then tells Peter something that has been often confused and mis-interpreted: you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.
The Roman church saw this as making Peter the one Jesus would build His church on, a papacy, and so Peter must be the first pope. And in the English it sure seems to be the case.
Especially since Jesus also said, I will give you the keys of the kingdom and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
If that does not smack of an earthly pope I am not sure what does.
But in the Greek, the emphasis is not on Peter, petros, a stone or rock. But rather on Peters confession that he has just made, the petra, a massive bedrock. And the church will be built on that confession made by all believers ever since.
We’ll talk about those keys in next months sermon.
Now if the story had ended there we might think Peter was finally beginning to get it, but sadly the story continues.
Jesus begins to teach the apostles that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer and die. When Peter hears this, Matthew records this for us in: Matthew 16:22-23 (NASB)
22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You."
23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."
Wow! What a turn around. First Peter is commended for speaking from God and now he is rebuked for speaking from Satan and all within a few minutes of each other.
Many do not see the importance of what Peter says here. First he was filled with pride and began to take the name rock a bit too literally and seriously and thought he could rebuke the Lord.
Secondly he tells Jesus “THIS” will never happen to you. The “THIS” would have meant Jesus never going to the cross as our substitutionary sacrifice. For us and all believers that would have been disastrous.
This is the man Peter. Impetuous, head strong, always rushing forward many times without thinking. But in every case the man’s heart was in the right place.
Doesn’t that describe many of us? We often say and do things with the best intentions but we do not always think things through.
Jesus knew Peter’s heart and knew he was a good man that only needed to be set on the right course. Now don’t get me wrong, Peter was never a perfect man as we have seen, but he was a man who had God in the center of his heart.
Probably the most heart breaking of all of Peters mis-steps took place on the very last night Jesus lived on this earth, at the Last supper.
The apostles were in their regular discussion on who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom of God.
I find this amazing, because they had just seen Jesus get down on his hands and knees and wash all their feet.
Oh, Peter as usual objected at first, “Lord you will never wash my feet”. I guess Peter thought such humility would gain him some points. But when Jesus told him he would have no place with Him unless he let Him wash his feet, Peter had to back pedal and told Jesus “not only my feet but my whole body”.
So after that how can you then begin an argument over who is the greatest in the kingdom? Not only that Peter, but Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat. A metaphor for a severe temptation or testing. So are you ready Peter?
Jesus says, I tell you the truth one of you will deny me and another will betray me.
As would be expected, all the apostles begin to chime in, Is it me Lord, is it me? And not me Lord, I would never do that.
There are times when silence is truly golden and it is best to say nothing. But that would not be Peter.
Lord, no matter what happens I will never deny you. Even if it means I have to die with you, I will never deny you.
Wow! I bet that will gain me some points with the master!
Peter did not even have the time to savor what he had just said before the Lord brought him back to reality. “Before the night is over, before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”
Remember Peter is quite a large man, strong and certainly head strong so if this does happen it must certainly be under the most severe circumstances. Torture perhaps, or the threat of death.
Remember that after dinner Jesus and the apostles went to the garden so Jesus could pray. You would think someone willing to die for you could at the very least stay awake and pray with you. Sadly this was not the case. Peter, James and John all fall asleep.
When Judas arrives with the religious leaders and Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus, Peter wakes up and tries to defend Jesus, lopping off the ear of a man named Malchus, a servant of the High Priest.
Well there you go, that’s the Peter that said he would be willing to even die for the Lord. But immediately the Lord tells him to stop and put away his sword and He heals Malchus. This must have sent a very confusing message to Peter.
Lord, I am willing if necessary to even die but I will never deny you. As I said, Peters denial must come at a very trying time by either torture or perhaps his arrest for what he did here.
Well not really.
If we read the gospels together we find that the first two times Peter was asked if he knew this Jesus, and Peter denied that he knew him, the question came from little slave girls. The third time from a seeming nobody, who really could not be a threat.
Lord I am even willing to die, but I will never deny that I know you. Not six hours had passed before Peter denied three times.
If that were not bad enough, Luke 22:61 records for us that at the moment Peter denied Jesus the third time, he looked towards the window where Jesus was being accused in Caiaphas’s house and Jesus was looking right at him.
I cannot imagine how Peter felt in that very moment or what was going through his mind. The pain must have been unbearable as can be seen by Peter’s demeanor over the next three days.
Have you ever thought as you read this account, “I would never deny the Lord. You’re so sure and confident about it, just like Peter was.
And yet how many opportunities do we ignore to share Him with others. Oh, we may not deny knowing Him if asked directly but isn’t not sharing Him close to denying you know Him? A denial by omission?
We know that Jesus was taken the next morning and crucified and all the apostles, yes even Peter, are afraid and hiding, perhaps in the same room they had shared that last meal with the Lord.
Hope is a wonderful thing. It gives us something to look forward to. Something to hang our dreams on and when associated with faith, hope can be something that brings assurance and confidence.
The apostle’s hopes have just been dashed by the death of their master. Probably more so for Peter since he was the rock, the holder of the keys to the kingdom and one who most likely had visions of sitting on a throne in this new kingdom the Lord was supposed to establish.
How could the kingdom be set up now if the leader was gone and dead?
We know Jesus was the son of God, I said so myself, but if the religious leaders and Romans could kill Him, what chance do we have?
Everything was looking so rosy for a while but now it seems everything is lost.
Have you ever felt that way? Things are going well and everything seems to be falling into place and then all of a sudden something happens to change everything.
Reminds me of the lesson on Job. He had everything. Land, money, servants a large family, the respect of friends and in a very short time, it was all gone.
You’re on your way up the corporate ladder and all of a sudden the company decides to down size.
You’re feeling great and go to the doctor for your annual visit and you are told there is a spot on your x ray.
You’re marriage seems fine and then your spouse tells you they want a divorce.
Well the Lord promised us a kingdom and that I would play a prominent part in it. He even gave me the keys to this kingdom but now he’s dead and I fear they may come for me next.
Peter like Job and his friends were only seeing the immediate and physical circumstances. They could not see how all of this was within God’s plan and within His power.
Times like this are inevitable. I really believe they make us stronger if we remain faihful.
We’ll leave Peter for now but until next time meditate on this great man of God. Like us, Peter is experiencing the roller coaster ride we call life and at this moment he is on the downside.
But like all roller coasters, after the car reaches the very bottom, it begins to rise again and that is what we will look at next time.
Let us pray.
