When reading the Gospels with a
focus on the Apostle Peter we can learn a few things about ourselves. Peter
whose name was really Simon was called Peter by Jesus. Have we not had times in our lives when
people - usually those close to us or ones to whom we’ve looked up to - have
dubbed us by a different “nickname”?
The moniker comes from love as a term of endearment and it sticks.
Perhaps this was the case with Jesus and Simon, who Jesus called Peter. (Mark
3:16)
Do we not all yearn to be chosen,
or even better to be the first chosen?
Peter was of the first disciples to be invited by Jesus. This young fisherman was so impressed by the
carpenter calling that he just dropped his nets and followed Jesus right along. Into
our lives some have come and we have felt that person is our “ticket”, or the
key to our success and we have latched on with hope and anticipation. So Jesus
was with Peter. (Mathew 4:18-20
&10:2)
And even as we have experienced
God’s prevenient Grace and witnessed small miracles with these people who may
be parents, siblings or teachers, our worldly flaws cause us to miss our mark,
to lose our trust and falter as friends, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. We see this with Peter as he begins moving
toward Jesus on the water, winds of doubt take over and Peter starts sinking
until he reaches out his hand. (Mathew 14:27-32).
Peter had a back stage pass, so to
speak, for the greatest show ever on earth. He was hand picked by Jesus to go
on a hike where he would meet God, Moses and Elijah! Peter was so excited after
this trip he wanted to build shelters for them and stay on that mountain
forever. (Luke 9:28-36).
Jesus knew the day would come when
this disciple of whom he was so fond would falter in a way that would cause
Peter a level of shame and guilt that would be hard to comprehend. And Jesus
told Peter so. In spite of all Peter had experienced he could not believe Jesus
(John 13:36-38).
And Peter with his best intentions
to stand by Jesus and be close to help after Jesus was arrested was so paralyzed
by fear that he lied about knowing Jesus and soon thereafter his Lord was
beaten unmercifully and spat upon. Jesus made eye contact with Peter and the
rooster crowed three times. Peter wept
bitterly. (Luke 22:54-65).
A stronger message to Peter comes
from his Lord in the account of resurrection morning as told in Mark’s Gospel
chapter 16. In this account the three
women are surprised when they get to the tomb and the huge boulder has already
been rolled away. As they enter there is a man in a white robe sitting to the
right side of where Jesus’s body had been laid. And the man in a white robe we
believe is an Angel of the Lord and he says to the ladies that they are to tell
the disciples and Peter (especially Peter) Its Okay! The Lord is risen. He is alive.
(Mark 16:1-8).
This is
for us Peter’s Promise: “It’s Okay”. No matter the transgression we are redeemed
because Jesus Lives. Or to quote a passage from another divinely inspired book.
“No matter how far down the scale we’ve gone we will see how our experience can
benefit others. (The Big Book: Into Action, Pg 84.)
St. Peter became better and went into action and look what he accomplished:
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