Resources/Articles
The Days of Peter with Jesus (2)
If you consider the last message we printed about the days of Peter with Jesus, there were three things to remember: (1) Jesus prayed for Peter that Satan would not destroy him; (2) Peter believed Jesus; and (3) Peter’s message in Acts 2.30-33 along with the other apostles led to the beginning of the church (vv. 41-47). There are more items of interest in the days of Peter with Jesus:
Peter & Sin
The hasty behavior of Peter was seen on the night of Jesus’ betrayal. In Matthew 26.31-32, Peter tells Jesus others may be offended in him, but he will not. In John 13.36-38, Peter said he would go with Jesus wherever Jesus went, even unto death. Those are heavy, committed words and promises he makes to Jesus and to himself. Peter promises not to do what others would do. How many people do you know who have said the same thing? “I’ll be there.” “I’ll do it.” “I’m not going to ________.” “I’ll never leave the church.”
When the social pressure was upon Peter and all the other apostles in Matthew 26.56, all of them fled. Peter followed at a distance (v. 58). He warmed his hands by the fire surrounded by some of the enemies of Jesus. This is where we should pay attention to what evil influences can do to a person. Peter compromised his faith and denied the Lord. He did what he said he would never do. Peter left that day in sorrow (v. 75). It was a day he may have wished he could relive.
There is a strong admonition in 2 Peter 3.17-18 Peter realized all so well. It is a divinely-inspired message everyone should remember: “Ye therefore, beloved, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” Thanks be to God Peter repented and preached the lesson in Acts 2. What a fabulous renewal from a devastating mistake!
Peter & Staying Faith
When Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him in Matthew 14.22, Peter did not know what he would learn that day. As Jesus walked on the water toward them in v. 27, he said, “Do not be afraid.” Soon after this, Peter was ready to go out upon the water with him. Once walking on the water, when Peter witnessed the strong wind kick up the water and the rolling of the vast waves, he feared and began to sink. Peter was doing “the impossible” until he feared the winds more than he looked at Jesus.
Hebrews 12.2 exhorts us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus while engaged in the race. Looking away to other things will cause us to lose heart, faith, and determination like Peter did. Fixing our eyes upon the lord provides “impossible” strength to live pure lives, be godly parents and godly children, have patience, be kind, show love, and have truth as our guide for living. All these things you may witness and others and wish you were better so it could be witnessed in you. It may seem “impossible” to live righteously, but it is possible only with the help of Jesus.
With the desire to be a Christian comes the zeal and joy of being saved. That “starting power” leads us to hope for a better life than living in sin. However, what will keep us saved? Where will we receive our “staying power”? Think about a train or car as it starts to travel. The power to get these means of transportation going is different than the power to keep them at a pace of 55 mph. Peter understood this v very well and was converted to staying faith in 2 Peter 1.5-10. Those verses are valuable to read in helping us see the difference in starting power and staying power. For those who anxiously want to follow Jesus but do not know how much it will cost his disciple, read those verses.
Peter & Hope
Peter experienced the pain, guilt, sorrow, and agony of sin in forsaking the Lord. He also realized the need for loyalty to the Lord when Jesus said, “Feed my sheep” (John 21.15-23). With those words, there was hope for a man who had fled from and then denied Jesus.
The only one in which Peter could hope was the one he forsook. It was too late to say, “I’m sorry” after the mob had taken Jesus away, crucified, and buried him in the tomb. A few days after the Lord’s death, Peter sees Jesus (John 20.19-23). It not only gave Peter hope, it provided hope to everyone, which Peter wrote about in 1 Peter 1.3-12.
The hope Peter described in 1 Peter is a living, desirable motivation to which one must hold firm and be devoted in spite of the numerous trials or temptations one may face. Satan wants to “sift you as wheat”, just as he did Peter. Contained within Peter’s letters is the definition of hope, an expression of hope, and a discussion on how to obtain hope. Yes, the world in which we live at times becomes a pride-filled, ungodly mess where strife exists, marriages struggle, jobs are lost, friends abandon, and people are irresponsible. But it is this hope which sustains each soul as he or she daily plods upon the land upon which we dwell.
What would Peter say to us in the circumstances which cause us sorrow, pain, agony, and frustration? He would say there is hope. He said, “Gird up the loins of your mind” that “your faith and hope might be in God” (vv. 13,21). After Peter’s days with Jesus on earth, he had hope of being with the Lord one day - and eternal, never-ending day. What a day that will be!
