A man least likely to succeed

 

This is not so much about Peter doing what he did, or about him being inappropriate, it is about God’s love and patience. God looks at our hearts not at our humanity.

I don’t know what Peter was thinking about when he said, “if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water…” –what if it wasn’t Jesus? Peter walked on the water until reality kicked in. Then, as he was sinking, called, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him…” Jesus spoke to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus didn’t tell Peter he should have remained in the safety of the boat. It was a rash decision, but not wrong. Peter looked around and saw all the reasons why it was impossible for him to be walking on water. We must focus on Jesus, and realize that faith is not rational.

Peter asked Jesus to, explain the parable to the disciples. Jesus responded, are you senseless?  Don’t you understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man…” The parable was related to the leaders complaining that his disciples were breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they ate. Jesus quoted Isaiah, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” I believe the same is true of church doctrines and rituals today.

Jesus asked his disciples who they believed he was. Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” With no hesitation or loss of focus, Peter stated that Jesus was God’s Messiah. There is nothing more important than believing in Jesus.

When Jesus told the disciples that he would suffer an die, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's.” Peter’s intentions were not bad; like most Jews he presumed the restoration of Israel by the Messiah was physical. Jesus was aware at that moment that Satan was using Peter’s misunderstanding as he used Eve’s weakness in the garden. At our peril we adopt the world’s position that “God” is to blame for everything that goes wrong. Satan is happy being a Halloween feature and having bogeyman status. Satan is evil and opposed to everything good.

Peter James and John were with Jesus on the mountain when he was transfigured. All three saw Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus that he would make three tabernacles, one for each of them. While he was still saying that, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’” The three disciples fell to the ground in fear when God said “This is my son, listen to him!” There was only one authority they were to listen to, that was Jesus. There is only one authority we are to listen to – Jesus.

After listening to Jesus teach about forgiveness Peter asked him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Peter was demonstrating his forbearance and generosity suggesting seven times; Rabbinical teaching was three times. Jesus said to him, not seven times, but seventy times seven. Jesus wanted Peter to know there is no limit to forgiveness. Jesus did not set a limit of four hundred and ninety times, he taught the need to forgive has no limited.

Jesus said that it was impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom which caused the disciples to wonder who could be saved. Peter said to Jesus, “we have left everything and followed you; what then will there be for us?” to which Jesus said; “…in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Everyone who had left houses or relatives or farms for my name's sake, will receive much more, and inherit eternal life. “What’s in it for us?” Not the same as for the disciples and others under to old covenant. We are children of God, we are his family now and in eternity. There is no future judgment for believers since in Christ there is no condemnation. There is no greater blessing.

After the supper Jesus told the disciples that all of them would fall away; Peter said, “Even though all may fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” To which Jesus said, “Tonight, before a rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”  No, “even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing. In the garden when Jesus prayed Peter James and John were unable to stay awake to support. Jesus’ statement aptly describes the human situation, “…the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus recognized human failing not critically, but factually.

When the mob arrived to arrest Jesus, Peter who had a sword struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. Jesus said to Peter, put your sword away; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me? Again the expectations of the disciples and God’s way were in conflict. The disciples would have willingly fought to the death to protect the Lord. But that was not heaven’s plan. “…all the disciples left Him and fled.” I don’t believe it was due to fear that the disciples to fled. They were bewildered when Jesus surrendered to the mob. They were confused and suddenly without purpose, the only recourse was to flee with their hopes and aspirations in tatters. Spirituality is not measured by rites or rules but through acceptance and submission to God’s way.

Peter went to where Jesus was being tried. He wanted to avoid being recognized and three times denied any connection with Jesus; the third time he said “I do not know the man!” and immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered Jesus saying, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny me three times” he left the courtyard and wept bitterly. Peter was brave enough to enter the stronghold of the enemies, but fearful to commit to being Jesus’ disciple. Where was his bravado, where was his willingness to die? Peter’s denial and Judas’ betrayal are equally wrong. Peter’s remorse led him closer to Jesus; Judas chose a different path. Jesus is the way, the only access to God. Through him we enter the family of God.

Peter was the most prominent disciple; Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom. Jesus told Peter to feed his lambs, and to feed and shepherd his sheep. Peter opened salvation to Jews on the first Pentecost following the death of Jesus, he introduced salvation to Gentiles when teaching Cornelius a Roman soldier. Peter was in every way a human. How Jesus related to him permits us to see God’s forbearance and patience, in which we can be confident that God is loving and patient with us.

 

The spiritual objectives to which we aspire are lofty; if we could, we would gladly do things beyond our means, yet do not do what we can. We would never deny the Lord or fail to do our best, although we will. We focus on loving God and forget our neighbour. We are elevated by faith and brought low by despair. We experience the peace of grace and the pain of guilt. We sing of God’s unconditional love but feel a need to earn it.

This is due to the human dichotomy summed up by Jesus, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” We can take comfort in John’s statement that when we feel guilty, “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” We need to replace trying to earn God’s love with relying on his word that we have it.