The Resurrection Through Peter's Eyes

Easter Through Peter’s Eyes

John 13:31-38,18:15-18,25-27,20 & 21:15-19

I was listening to a radio program about how the tragedy of September 11th had affected people’s behavior. They interviewed one woman who’s husband worked in the World Trade Towers. He was at a meeting in another site when the tragedy happened and was spared. She shared how they had had an argument that morning and had left each other with harsh words. She was so struck by the fact that if he had been at his desk, their last words to each other would have been in anger, not in love. She said that they agreed together to never leave each other on harsh terms, to work out issues when there is enough time. Since you never know what the day will bring, you never know which of your words to your partner will be your last.

You can imagine how Peter might have felt when the last words he spoke of Jesus before his death were that of denial.

Peter’s mouth was often getting him in trouble. He was great at saying the most blessed and the most stupid things in the same breath.

The Transfiguration – Mark 9:2-8 “Three Shrines!”

Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain. No one else was there. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance changed, 3and his clothing became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly process could ever make it. 4Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

5"Teacher, this is wonderful!" Peter exclaimed. "We will make three shrines[1] --one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 6He didn’t really know what to say, for they were all terribly afraid.

7Then a cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." 8Suddenly they looked around, and Moses and Elijah were gone, and only Jesus was with them. 9As they descended the mountainside, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until he, the Son of Man, had risen from the dead. 10So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by "rising from the dead." - NLT

“You are the Christ!” – Mark 8:27-33

27Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"

28"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets."

29Then Jesus asked, "Who do you say I am?"

Peter replied, "You are the Messiah." 30But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

31Then Jesus began to tell them that he, the Son of Man, would suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, and three days later he would rise again. 32As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and told him he shouldn’t say things like that.

33Jesus turned and looked at his disciples and then said to Peter very sternly, "Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s." - NLT

“I will lay down my life for you!” – John 13:31-38

31As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, "The time has come for me, the Son of Man, to enter into my glory, and God will receive glory because of all that happens to me. 32And God will bring[5] me into my glory very soon. 33Dear children, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you! Then, though you search for me, you cannot come to me--just as I told the Jewish leaders. 34So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

36Simon Peter said, "Lord, where are you going?"

And Jesus replied, "You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later."

37"But why can’t I come now, Lord?" he asked. "I am ready to die for you."

38Jesus answered, "Die for me? No, before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. - NLT

John 18:12-18, 25-27

This time it is very serious; instead of saying merely stupid things, out of fear, he denies that he even knows Jesus – the savior of his soul

After Jesus is arrested Peter and another disciple (most likely John) follow the mob to the High Priest for questioning. John is let in to the courtyard because he has connections, but Peter is left outside the door until John gets him allowed in. As he is walking through the door, the girl that let him in says “You are not one of his disciples are you?”