Become More Like Peter

Next Sunday is Easter. So, I find myself studying the events of the week leading up to the crucifixion. This morning, my thoughts dwell on one of the supporting characters. And, I find myself wanting to become more like Peter.

Here we see a Jew of no particular renown or glorious background. He has no special education or credentials. But, Jesus gave him a purpose beyond anything he could have hoped or dreamed.

Why Become More Like Peter?

Peter’s failures surrounding the trial of Jesus are heart-breaking to read. All the more so because of his confidence that, of all the apostles, he would never abandon Jesus. So, why become more like Peter?

Peter rejected his faith in Jesus, going so far as to denounce any prior affiliation with him. He disowned his dearest friend to protect himself.

The truth is that we have all been like Peter in those moments. We have all had moments in which we dim our faith. Sometimes, we don’t want to offend. Sometimes, like Peter at the trial of Christ, we’re afraid of the consequences.

Like Peter, I Weep

But, this apostle, when he realized what he had done, was broken by the weight of his transgression. Luke’s gospel records in chapter 22, verse 62 that he “went out and wept bitterly.” Like Peter, I weep for the times I have denied Christ in thought, word, and deed.

One of the themes that I recall frequently being addressed in youth group was our willingness to fearlessly proclaim the gospel. Would you be willing to die for Christ?

Turns out, we didn’t need any special help to become more like Peter in our responses. Of course, we would! We knew that to deny Christ was, like, the worst thing you could ever do.

And yet, I went on to abandon Jesus entirely for most of my adult life. I rejected him countless times during those years.

I Want to Be Used Like Peter

Jesus assigned a great purpose to Peter. He made him the rock on which the church would be built. And, if I’m honest, I want to be used like Peter. I don’t know how, but I want God to find a way to use this flawed vessel for His glory.

Peter would fail Jesus, and he knew it. Peter could have spent the rest of his life weeping over the shame of his actions, and Jesus knew that, too. After the resurrection, we see a very special exchange between the two of them.

In John 21:15-19, Jesus asked Peter three times “Do you love me?” In this, we see a reflection and ultimately the redemption of Peter’s three denials.

I can only imagine that something broke inside Peter the same way it does in me when I read those words. Jesus didn’t castigate him or call his past into account. He simply reminded him that if we want to show our love for God, we need only feed and care for his people.

Less than 2 months later, we see the events of Pentecost. We watch a transformed, spirit-filled apostle step forward and boldly proclaim the gospel of grace through Jesus of Nazareth.

Peter’s actions did not prevent God’s purpose for his life from being fulfilled. God uses flawed and sinful people to achieve his aims here on earth. He has no other options.

I needed this reminder, today. The surest cure for our bitter tears is the love and acceptance of our heavenly father. Let go of your past failures and feed his lambs.

Prayer for Today

My prayer for today is that I would become more like the Peter who overcame his failure. I want to proclaim the good news as am experiencing it in the transformation of my life.

Verses about Peter’s Failure and Redemption:

“Peter answered him, ‘Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.;” Matthew 26:33

“Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, ‘This man also was with him.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ And a little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not.’

And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, ‘Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:54-62 (ESV)

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 

He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ 

Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:15-17 (ESV)