Peter, he was the most relatable of the disciples I think. Always the most vocal and sticking his foot in his mouth. Something about him just makes me smile. And I imagine he made Jesus smile too. We all need at least one friend like that.
Simon Peter:
Most often referred to as Peter. His Hebrew name was Simon and Jesus named him Cephas (John 1:42) which in Greek is translated Peter and means “rock” or “stone”.
Peter is the brother of Andrew (Matthew 4:18).
He was a fisherman (Luke 5:1-11).
Peter along with James and John were in the inner circle of Jesus' disciples. (Luke 8:49-56/ Matthew 17:1-13/ Matthew 26:36-39)
Peter is well known for denying Jesus three times before the rooster crowed.
Married
At his first sermon on the day of Pentecost about three thousand souls were saved! Now that is a good day.
A prominent leader in the early church and is a major person in Acts 1-12
Spread the Gospel to Samaria (the central region of ancient Palestine) and Caesarea (a city on the Mediterranean Sea south of present day Haifa, Israel.)
Wrote 1 Peter and 2 Peter
At the last supper Jesus said to His disciples, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written '... AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.' But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Peter said to Him, even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. (Matthew 26:31-35)
We all know what happened. Peter denied being with Jesus. He denied knowing Jesus. And when asked a third time he again denied knowing Jesus. Immediately a rooster crowed and Peter broke down and wept bitterly.
That's very relatable. It's easy to think you will be brave and courageous until push comes to shove and you actually have to be brave and courageous.
The account of Peter denying Jesus three times is mentioned in all four Gospels. But here's what you might not know. The four Gospels were written after early church tradition says Peter was crucified - upside down I might add. How would the Gospel writers know that Peter actually did deny Christ? Only if Peter had told them. And this is what amazes me about Scripture. It gives you the good, the bad, and the ugly. How many of us tend to hide the most shameful thing we've done? My hand is raised. But Peter didn't do that.
It's as if Peter is reaching through time telling me, "Yes dear, you messed up. I did too and the Lord in His infinite mercy took me back. He'll give you grace too."
Yes, Peter is a genuine person. Some shining moments in his life and some profound failures. Just like the rest of us. Although I suspect this experience altered Peter's resolve. He would never again deny His Lord. Peter went on to do some pretty amazing things for God's kingdom. His first sermon was life-changing for a whole heck of a lot of people!
My mind goes to Jesus and Him knowing all of this would happen. He knew Judas would betray Him. The religious leaders would plot against Him. Peter deny Him. His disciples desert Him. That all must have grieved Him. But to get to Sunday, He had to go through those twenty-four hours from Thursday to Friday.
Keeping our eye on the empty tomb.
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