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Jesus and Peter

Writer's picture: DeborahDeborah








Luke 5:1-7 ESV

Luke 5:8-11 ESV

Matthew 14:28-29 (Walking on Water), Matthew 16:22-23 (Jesus corrected Peter), Matthew 17:4-7 (Bravery to immediate Fear), John 18:10 (Peter sliced off a Servant’s Ear), Matthew 26:33 (Peter said, I will never fall away), Matthew 26:70-74 (Peter denied Jesus 3 times).

Matthew 16:13-18 ESV

Matthew 17:1-8 (Transfiguration), Mark 5:37 (Jairus’ Daughter), Luke 22:8 (Prepared Passover Meal).

John 21:15-17 ESV

Acts 2:14 (Peter Spoke), Acts 3:6-8 (Peter healed), Acts 4:8-12 (Peter Spoke Boldly), Acts 10:1-8 (Peter when to Roman Centurion), Acts 15:7-11 (Peter defended the Gentiles), and Peter wrote 1 Peter and 2 Peter.


A Story of Love Series


Peter was one of the most colorful disciples and he could also be called the disciple who was ‘most’ changed through Jesus’ love.


It is believed that Simon Peter’s father died when he was young. Peter and his brother were raised by Zebedee and his wife Salome. James and John, the sons of Zebedee and Simon and Andrew were raised in the same household.


Simon Peter and his brother did have religious training learning scripture which included prophecies about the coming Messiah. It is thought his training stopped before he could study under a Rabbi because when Peter spoke with the Sanhedrin he did not appear to be a trained scholar (https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/peter-in-the-bible/).


When Jesus first met Simon Peter he appeared to know him or know who he was. At first he was called Cephas which was the Aramaic name for Petros. His name Petros in Greek Petros means "a mass of rock detached from the living rock”. The name Peter means “rock” and that replaced the name Simon, though Jesus did use the name Simon when speaking to him.”(https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/peter-in-the-bible/)


In Peter’s early life with Jesus:


When Jesus called Peter we read in Luke 5:1-7, “On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”


Okay, so by now, Jesus definitely had Simon Peter’s attention.


Then we learn in Luke 5:8-11, “when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”


Immediately, Peter followed…but the change in Peter wasn’t instant.


In Matthew 14:28-29 we learn that Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on water, but he began to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus.


Peter told Jesus not to speak of his death in Matthew 16:22 and he was corrected by Jesus in verse 23.


At the Transfiguration Peter boldly said they should set up 3 tents in honor of Moses, Elijah and Jesus in Matthew 17:4 then immediately following when they heard a voice from a cloud they fell to the ground in fear in verses 5-6.


Peter sliced off the ear of the servant of the High Priest in John 18:10 and Jesus immediately told him to put down his weapon.


Peter announced he would never forsake Jesus even if everyone else did in Matthew 26:33.


Peter denied knowing Jesus three times in Matthew 26:70-74.


Then Peter BECAME:


In Matthew 16:13-18 we learn, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”


Peter with James and John were part of Jesus’ inner circle. They were the only disciples present at the Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-8 and those three were present when Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus in Mark 5:37. It was Peter and John who prepared the final Passover meal in Luke 22:8.


In John 21:15-17, Jesus restored and forgave Peter following the resurrection. “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”


And that’s exactly what Peter did. Notice that Peter denied Knowing Jesus before the crucifixion and Jesus asked him “do you love me” three times. Peter was restored.


At Pentecost in Acts 2:14 it was Peter who spoke to the crowd.


In Acts 3:6-8 it was Peter who healed a man lame from birth.


It was Peter who spoke boldly to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:8-12.


It was Peter who was asked to come to the home of a Roman Centurion Cornelius in Acts 10:1-8.


It was Peter who defended the Gentiles as believers in Acts 15:7-11.


Peter wrote two Epistles, I Peter and 2 Peter after 60 A.D.


It’s believed that Peter was martyred around 64 C.E. He asked to be crucified upside down because he didn’t deserve to be crucified in the same was as His Lord.


Jesus knew who Peter was, BUT He also knew who Peter would become.


Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Who are You?


Ask God who you will become?


In God, Deborah


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About Me

I am a child of God. I can’t remember when God wasn’t part of my life. I served in a church setting for 30+ years and now I seek to help others see and find their sacred space. Daily when we turn to God we begin to recognize where God is at work in our lives.

 

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