It is important to have role models in our lives, but we can also learn from people in the Bible, and in history. Peter is someone to whom we can relate because even though he failed at times, he kept on going. He wouldn’t give up.
Peter was at the center of everything. The first one to speak up to respond. He did things that no one else dared to do. Peter did nothing small. He had big wins and big losses. Still, we should desire to be like Peter.
Peter Responds to Jesus
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. Mark 1:16–18 (NLT)
What amazes us about the call of Peter and Andrew is the immediacy of their response. Perhaps others were with them, but when Jesus asked them to follow him, they simply dropped everything with total abandonment and went after Jesus.
We know that Peter had a family. How would they be supported? What would become of their boat and fishing equipment? None of that seemed to matter to Peter. Jesus called, and he answered with immediate obedience. It’s an impressive example to follow. We would all be better off if we respond to Jesus’ call immediately. Let’s be like Peter.
Peter Knew Who Jesus Was
Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8:27–29 (NLT)
People may think of Jesus as a teacher or a prophet, and most people would say that he was a good man, but what sustained Peter through his doubts, and fears, was the revelation that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One.
After Peter’s revelation, he stumbled. Jesus began to speak about the things that he would suffer, and how he would be rejected, and killed. Peter reacted badly and he took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. Jesus then turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me Satan.” Jesus told him that he was seeing things from a human viewpoint, not from God’s perspective.
Many of us might have given up hope after a rebuke like that. We might’ve slipped away, hoping that no one would notice that we were gone, but Peter stayed with Jesus. Let’s be like Peter.
No Plan B
Jesus healed and fed thousands of people miraculously. The crowds grew larger and larger, but then Jesus began to teach on what it meant to be a disciple, and how we must participate fully in his life. Jesus talked about himself as the “Bread of Life.” To have a part in Jesus we must partake of his body and blood. This was a precursor to communion.
Because of this teaching, Jesus lost most of his followers. They complained that it was too hard to understand. Jesus went on to say, “the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” And “people can’t come to him unless the father gives them to him.”
Jesus then turned to the disciples and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” What happened next was one of Peter’s shining moments. Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68–69 (NLT)
We need to get to the place, like Peter, where we recognize that we do not have any alternatives to Jesus. “No Plan B.” His words offer eternal life. There is salvation in no other name. Let’s be like Peter.
Peter Got Out of the Boat
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Matthew 14:28–29 (NLT)
The disciples’ first reaction when they saw Jesus walking on the water was fear, but only Peter had the courage to ask Jesus to call him out to the water. We could focus on the fact that when he got out there, the reality of the wind and waves got the better of him, and he began to sink. Or we could take note that he was the only one who asked to get out of the boat.
Jesus reached out and rescued him. He told Peter that he had little faith. But no matter how small Peter’s faith was, at this point it was much greater than any of the other disciples. It is better to be like Peter and exercise our faith even if it is just a little, than to sit in the boat and not take any chances. We must learn that even when our faith fails, we can count on Jesus to reach out and save us. Let’s Be like Peter and get out of our boat.
Bravado-Denial-Restoration
Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Luke 22:33–34 (NLT)
Most of the time, Peter was full of confidence bordering on arrogance. Peter loved Jesus. Bravado was Peter’s nature. But sure enough, the next day, Peter denied Jesus three times.
At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. Luke 22:61–62 (NLT)
Peter was devastated, but he would learn cannot rely on his own strength. The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. Proverbs 24:16 (NLT)
Three days later, Peter would be the first of the apostles to run to the tomb. In spite of Peter’s failures, he believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. This unwavering belief was stronger than his doubts, fears, and failures.
Learning from Peter
We can learn from Peter, both good and bad. Our failures may be different from Peter’s, but the same God who restored Peter can restore us and use us for his glory. Peter was not perfect, but we learn the most from people like us who succeed even though they stumble. Let’s be like Peter!
Steve Ekeroth