Stories of the Saints :: Digging Deeper

Peter
Introduction Peter is a fascinating study. He is one of the chosen 12 disciples of Jesus, and a member of the inner circle of those disciples along with James and John. He is a fisherman from Galilee, someone whom more refined people would regard as a country bumpkin type of person. Throughout the stories of the Gospels and into the book of Acts, we see major developments in his identity and actions, and those developments form the framework of our glimpse into Peters life and ministry. Not a Likely Candidate, but Called Regardless Peter was a blue-collar worker, a fisherman who worked in the backwater areas of Bethsaida and Capernaum. Called by Jesus, Peter left his vocation of fisherman to become a learner (disciple) of the rabbi Jesus. We know he was married1, but we do not know exactly how that played out in the course of his discipleship and ministry. All in all, Peter was a normal guy, just making a living, when the course of his life changed dramatically through the call of Jesus. When Jesus said to Peter, Follow me, Peter didnt hesitate. (And from what we see of Peter in the Gospel accounts, that seemed to describe Peter in general.) He literally left his old life behind and joined Jesus on a journey that he could have never imagined before. He was witness to, and participant in, a ministry unlike any other. Like his quick response to Jesus initial call, Peter continued to be an impetuous one throughout his life. Examples abound of his quick response and actions, whether good or not. Many people today would likely use Peter as a negative example: dont rush into things Peter got into hot water more than once because he was impetuous. We need to consider, though, that Peters impetuousness may be more of a positive example for us than a negative one. What would life be like for us as disciples of Jesus if we had a bit more of Peter in us? The Rock Perhaps the most significant event of Peters life is the episode that we find in Matthew 16. Jesus is asking his disciples who people say He is. Various answers are given, and then Peter confesses, You are

the Christ, Son of the living God. Jesus responds that Peter is blessed because that truth was revealed to him by the Father, and that Jesus will build His church on that truth. Jesus play on the word rock in Matthew 16:18 is an interesting one not only because of the implications for the church on earth, but because just a short time later, Peter rejects Jesus prophecy that He must suffer and die.1 Jesus rebukes him with strong language: Get behind me, Satan! because Peter had human things on his mind, not godly ones. What a rock, indeed. Down and Up the Roller Coaster The best contemporary image to describe Peters life might be the roller coaster. Part of the reason Jesus play on words in Matthew 16 was so effective was that Peter was anything but immovable or fixed. He was always either flying high or down in the dumps. We began the previous section with the word perhaps because we also could make a strong argument that Peters most significant experience centered on his denial of Jesus during Passion Week. Jesus predicted that Peter would do it, and though he vowed, never!, he did. But throughout it all, Jesus knew that the denial would not be the end. We titled this section down and up... instead of the reverse that is normally used: the down was certainly Peters denial. But the up was so much more up for Peter than the denial was down. Jesus restored Peter with loving grace and power. He asks Peter three times, Do you love me?. Three times Peter responds with, yes (and by the third time, hes getting indignant again Good ol Peter.). Three times Jesus then gives him his charge: Feed my sheep.

1 This verse is one of the key points of contention between the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. The Roman church sees Jesus words I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church to refer to Peter himself, not to the confession that Peter made. This all hinges on Jesus wordplay on the word rock in Greek: the name Peter is the word petros, and the rock is the word petrasame word family, but different emphases in Greek. Petros is more literally a stone fragment or even rolling stone. Petra is a vast foundational rock. This is the passage that the Roman church uses to argue that the office of Pope is an unbroken direct line from Peter, who essentially was the first Pope.

Following Peters restoration and commission, and following Jesus

ascension, we begin to see a new Peter: not a brash man on a roller coaster, but a Spirit-filled man on a mission: to feed people with the Good News of Jesus. A Brief Digression on Peters position within the Apostles Each time we see a list of the Apostles names, Peter is first. Peter often speaks on behalf of the group. Even before Jesus death and resurrection, Peter seems to have a position of prominence within the Twelve. Scripture never records that Jesus placed Peter into this position of head Apostle. Yet Peter certainly looks like he is just that. Someone has coined an ingenious phrase that perfectly describes this position: first among equals. It is a great way to describe Peters relationship to the other Eleven, and applies very well to other situations within the church. All the disciples are equal; none is more or less valuable than another. Yet Peter has a place of pre-eminence. It is not that he is better than the others, he just seems to have a lead role. To be first among equals is not a position that comes with prestige, wealth, nor fame. It comes with service to others, maturity, and loving leadership under Jesus. Peter and Discipleship: Can you relate? Its certainly the case that many people can relate to Peter, especially in his early days. We feel like no one special, and likely often wonder why me, God?. But can we also relate to Peter as we see him later in life and ministry: bold and ready to proclaim the Gospel wherever and when- ever? Take some time to look into more of Peters life this week, and talk with others about what this sort of Spirit-filled, passionate-for-the-Gospel life could look like in our context today. What are the opportunities we have to witness to Jesus? What are the potential hot water situations for us today? Also pray for the strength and courage of Peter this week!

Peter
(To accompany Sermon from Sunday, July 1, 2012)

2009-2010 Concordia Lutheran Church. Used by permission. For more information, visit www.concordialive.ca.

Stories of the Saints