Of all the
characters in the Bible I identify most with Peter. This disciple messed up
royally so many times by fearing the opinions of others and by making rash
judgments. He is the one who took risks and walked on the water, only to sink
when he took his eyes off Jesus (Matt 14:28 ).
Peter rebuked Jesus for predicting His own death (Matt 16:22 /23) and foolishly suggested making tents
after Jesus' transfiguration (Matt 17:4). This disciple also refused to have
his feet washed by Jesus (John 13:8) and impulsively cut off the ear of the
servant of the high priest (John 18:10 ).
And yet in Matthew 26:33-35, Peter promised his undying love and devotion to
Jesus.
· Note Jesus’ reaction to Peter's
failure in Luke 22:54-62 and record your thoughts below.
· How did Jesus prioritize His time
after the resurrection according to John 21:7-14?
Jesus was
about to launch the New Testament church, entrusting the work to 11 untrained men.
Peter especially needed a lecture after what he had done – denying three times
that he even knew Jesus – and yet the Lord used this time, instead, to slow
down and share a meal. This signifies what is most important to Jesus – that we
would come to Him in spite of our failures and share time, to fellowship with
Him and build a relationship. That is the whole reason Jesus came – to restore
the relationship God the Father once had with His children in the Garden of
Eden. Therefore, Jesus finished out His time on earth by building
relationships. I wish I could report that this relationship with Jesus ended
Peter's foolishness, causing the emergence of Peter, "the Rock"
unshakable, but it didn’t.
· Although Peter was used in many
mighty ways in the New Testament church, even bringing the first Gentiles into
the fold (Acts 10:34 ),
read how he behaves in Galatians 2:11-14 and describe it below.
Peter's
inconsistency encourages me because it teaches me that no matter how many times
I blow it, Jesus is not waiting for me with a lecture, but a meal. Even now He
is preparing a feast (Rev. 19:19) This is God's father-heart for each one of
us. He calls us to a relationship with Him.
· Look at your calendar – is it full of
things you are doing for Him? Realizing that it is more important to God that
you spend time with Him than do things for Him, what things do you want to
change in your daily routine?
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