As we journey through the twelve Apostles, we examine the life of Peter. Peter is the one that I can identify with the most. Some of that is good and some is bad. He was one of those people who you did not have to guess what was on his mind. Peter was an open book. A book to be read by all who profess Christ. If you read this book, you will find yourself on some of the pages. Peter was complex yet simple, bold yet weak, loyal yet a betrayer, and immature yet mature. He experienced every emotion, but ultimately landed as one of the greatest disciples to have ever lived.
Peter comes on the scene by way of his brother Andrew. In John 1:40, Andrew is following Jesus. Andrew leaves Jesus and brings back Peter. This is when Peter begins his journey to follow Jesus. Thank God for a brother like Andrew.
John 1:40-42 “One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone.”
Our next look at Peter is when he and his brother Andrew were fishing. Jesus is walking on the Sea of Galilee and beckons them to come. They immediately leave their boat and occupation and follow Jesus.
Matthew 4:18-19 “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Peter exhibited strong leadership qualities. He was bold, and Christ was preeminent in his proclamation to stand for Christ. In Acts 3:28-29, as he stands before the Sanhedrin and hears their command that they are not to teach anymore about Jesus, he says, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Acts 5:28-29 “Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
He was excited about his faith and his relationship with Christ. When he went to the tomb after Jesus’ resurrection, he did not stop at the entrance as John did; he ran in to see the truth about Jesus’ resurrection. Peter and the other disciples were out fishing after Jesus’ resurrection, and they had caught no fish. Jesus had appeared and told them to cast their nets on the other side. When they did, there were so many that the net broke. Suddenly, Peter realized this was Jesus who was talking to them, and he grabbed his outer garment and jumped into the water to go to Jesus.
John 20:3-6 “Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and sees the linen clothes lie.”
John 21:7 “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.”
Peter was a committed believer. He had left his family and his occupation to follow Christ. As they say, “He was all in.” While he had his moments when he denied Christ. He realized his sin, repented, and went forward to win thousands to Jesus.
Mark 10:28 “Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”
He also knew when he messed up, and he did, that he needed to repent. It wasn’t something he did because he knew that was what he was supposed to do, but it was what he had to do because it broke his heart that he had broken God’s heart. Before Jesus was arrested, He had told Peter that he would deny Him three times, and Peter vehemently denied that it would happen. After it happened and the rooster crowed, Peter remembered Jesus’ words, and he wept bitterly. It had such a profound impact on Peter that he was never the same. His commitment was rock solid after that.
Matthew 26:74-75 “Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”
In Matthew 16:15, Jesus is talking to His disciples, and He asks them, “Whom say ye that I am?”Peter proclaims in verse 16,”Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He got it! He knew Jesus! Jesus tells Peter that he did not acquire his knowledge from human understanding, “but my Father who is in heaven.”
Tomorrow, we will deal with his negative qualities, but today, think about the character traits he displayed. Do you have these character traits? Do you read God’s word daily and obey promptly? Are you bold and willing to speak up for Jesus wherever you go, no matter who is there? Are you quick to repent, or do you allow your pride to hold you back? Examine your heart and ask yourself, “Do I know Him, or do I know about Him?
