IF PETER GOT SAVED... what of the rest of us? Copyright Doug Blair, Waterloo, ON, 2016
It is believed that Peter was related to Mark and offered many insights in the preparation of the first of the Gospels chronologically. And in Mark's Gospel there is evidence of the cruder side of the Big Fisherman. To follow the story of Peter is to see the progression from darkness to light, from testiness to meekness, from self-loathing to recognition of an ambassador's calling unto community and Life. The epistles attributed to him show a princely man able to see beyond suffering, persecution and past sins to the reasons for patience, submission, empathy and a coming Kingdom of Grace. There are warnings as well of the worsenings of human behaviour and community until Christ's return. 2 Grace
and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According
as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And
beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And
to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And
to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1)
8 For
if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Of Andrew's Spirit We have found Him And know that He is truth Distilled and pure. A Certain Spring, 'Though damp and slush Delay the budding. A Prince with yarns Of fields and flowers And feathered trust. Unspoiled by gold Or other trappings Of convention. Unmoved by rank Or rule of present powers. But moved by Smallest cry of Pain or shame Or lonely lot. A Man whose every Waking step displays Assurance, equity, Mercy, patience, hope Direct from Heaven. Whose gaze commands. The Promised One. Re-charging nightly On hills of prayer, (With His Father, So He says.) As we have slept. Brother, drop your net. Come meet this One. Come meet your future.
The Convicting Aspect
In Luke chapter five we have the incident of Jesus instructing Peter to set out again in the morning after a night of futile fishing. A number of possible interpretations have been offered for Peter's response: 'Lord, we have been at this all night to no avail; nevertheless at thy word we will launch out.' The extraordinary yield of fish which followed caused Peter to say "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." Here is the rabbi, obviously inexperienced in the ways of fishing, showing some supernatural knowledge or authority concerning the fish. Perhaps Peter had responded in sarcasm or in doubt as to Jesus' prospects of success. The Lord's calm, sincere and hopeful demeanour had a convicting effect. It is likely that anyone who got within range of the Master's words or extraordinary deeds would respond in like fashion. In am reminded of one of the Psalms which states, "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (Psalm 130: 4) Later in the same chapter of Luke Jesus has healed and forgiven the palsied man lowered through the roof, has incurred the wrath of the scribes and Pharisees for absolving sin, and has gone to dine at the house of Matthew, straight from the publican's bench. His comment is very revealing as to his mission: Luke 5: 31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. These days I hear a lot of talk about mimimizing doctrine and right orthodoxy and maximizing the winsome nature of the Man of Galilee. But what about the quest for intimate knowledge of the real Jesus and the real love which only He imparts? To know Him is to vigorously explore all resources available as to His purpose, courageous selfoffering and ultimate victory in the heavenlies and upon earth. Man hopes to behold the totally righteous One and yearns for an opportunity to unload his sin. Time and again it is shown that Messiah attracts, wounds by the evident contrast of His nature and then ministers healing and a fresh start. In one place in Acts the Gospel is described as "repentance unto life" (chapter 11:18).
Duty After Privilege
(Thoughts from J. R. Miller in Come Ye Apart) “Lord, it is good for us to be here: & let us make here three tabernacles;� Matthew 17:4 We should know that it was Peter who said this, even if his name were not given; it is just like Peter. He wanted to hold the heavenly vision on the mountain top, and not go back any more to the cold, struggling life of earth. It seemed such a heavenly place that he did not want to leave it. It certainly was good to be there; but they could not stay there long and yet be faithful to their duty and their mission. There was work waiting in the sad world below which they must hasten to do. There was a poor demoniac at the foot of the mountain whom the disciples could not cure; the Master was sorely needed there. Then farther off were Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha for Jesus; He must make an atonement for the world. Then for Peter there was Pentecost, with many years of earnest service, and martyrdom in the end. Devotion is good. It is very sweet to commune with God in the Closet, in the church, at the sacramental table; but we must not spend all our time in these holy exercises. While the raptures thrill our souls we must not forget that outside there are human wants crying for help and sympathy; and we must tear ourselves away from our warmest devotions and most exalted experiences to go down to answer these cries. Religion is not for enjoyment only; God gives us spiritual enjoyment that we may be strong for all loving service. Hark, hark! a voice amid the quiet intense! It is thy duty waiting thee without. Open thy door straightway, and get thee hence; Go forth into the tumult and the shout; Work, love, with workers, lovers all about; Then, weary, go thou back with failing breath, And in thy chamber make thy prayer and moan. One day upon his bosom, all thine own, Thou shalt lie still, embraced in holy death.
Equipped by Failure
Strength out of Weakness
“When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:32 Peter was not to be lost in the terrible experience through which he was to pass. Christ had made intercession for him, and he would come again from the trial humbled, bruised, defeated, but saved, and a better man. Our Lord tells him here that after his restoration he should turn his experience to account in helping other souls. “Do thou, when once thou hast turned again, stablish thy brethren.” He would be able then to warn others of the dangers in which he had suffered so terribly. We can imagine Peter in after days counselling Christians against self-confidence and the other false steps which led to his own fall, and thus strengthening or stablishing them in safe ways. Then there is no doubt that his experience of penitence, and of the grace and love of Christ in that experience, enabled him to be a wise and safe guide to many another disciple who had fallen into sin and was seeking to be restored. The lesson is important. All the lessons that God teaches us we should teach others. When we are helped it is that we may then help others. When God comforts us in any sorrow, He thereby ordains us to go forth to comfort others with the comfort wherewith we ourselves have been comforted of God. When we fall in temptation, and God lifts us up and restores us, He wants us to use our experience in helping other weak ones in their temptations. O lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet. O strengthen me, that while I stand Firm on the rock, and strong in thee, I may stretch out a loving hand To wrestlers with the troubled sea. (Taken from "Come Ye Apart" by J.R. Miller) Note: When we are in trouble we do not gravitate to the one whose face is all shiny and whose eyes do not reflect the wisdom of dark journeys. Rather we seek out the helper whose set jaw suggests an audacity from weathering storms, and whose eyes seem to say, "Yes, I know, but you must stay the course. You will yet praise Him." Look at a portion of Second Corinthians Chapter One taken from "The Message": 3-5All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.
6-7When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.
Peter's Lament
He has prayed for me, And how I know his nights Were given much to prayer. On struggling priestly heights, He sought my blessing there. He has prayed for me, And often while with us, Upheld me by his power; Though I would storm and fuss And rush and fret and glower. He has prayed for me, While I refused to think That any wicked plan Would cause my heart to sink In fear of any man. He has prayed for me, Yet I too quickly slept, When asked to pray with him In darkness while he wept, Awaiting capture grim. He has prayed for me, And all I did to help Was lash out once with sword, A useless little whelp, While troops removed my Lord.
He has prayed for me, Who sought the High Priest’s home, His fate to better view; But fearing Jews and Rome, Denied him, ere cock crew. He has prayed for me, ‘Though I fled in the night To luxury of tears, Not knowing how to fight My frailty, flesh or fears. He has prayed for me, And all has come to be. The tomb now holds my friend. Has Satan sifted me? Is infamy my end? But Jesus prayed for me, His eager little rock. Did any prayer get through? Will I yet tend his flock? Oh, if I only knew! LUKE 22: 31, 32, 33, 34 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Somewhere a Rooster Crows
I’ve read the Gospel story The miracles and such The preaching from the hilltop The crowds He loved so much.
The fish and bread For thousands The girl raised from the dead The stormy sailor crossings The supper when He said His death was at the doorway His blood a new life paves And none would dare stand with Him When Evil rants and raves. And Peter e’er the leader Would cringe, deny his Friend. A fear he thought beyond him Would break him at the end. And I can see the limits To what this story proves That God is good And God is just And hurting ones He loves. But do I need salvation? I try my best ya’ see And over-much religion Is sure to hamper me. A business has me running With corners cut to gain. And friends would soon be shunning If I proclaimed His Name. And pain would come large measure If I turned right around
And changed my speech And changed my paths For mercy I had found. No, I must draw the limit For history’s matchless Christ He’s not my Lord He’s not adored I just won’t pay that price. And surely all these drawbacks Each modern person knows. …What’s that? I hear out yonder Somewhere a rooster crows!
Note: The good news is that some of the “Peters” of this world receive the rebuke, repent and enter into the life of joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8)
Peter Went Out
“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Read these seven words from Luke 22 and realize that they contain the kernel of sanctification.
Peter had had all of this exposure to the power and promise of Jesus but he was still tempted to warm himself in the early morning chill at the fires of the world. Jesus had prophesied his three-time denial and it was happening.
Peter had felt that his loyalty to the Master was unshakable, even to the death. But here he was quaking and swearing before women and strangers that he did not even know the Galilean.
Believer, when Jesus gives you a candid look at the evil still within your own heart, pray that you will have the grace and the opportunity to do as Peter did. It will happen alone. It will be a Godly sort of repentance. It will be a milestone marking supernatural change.
And what is going on in that world which you are renouncing? It is still inclined to mock and to crucify Jesus and His “little ones�, and to consider it entertainment. It does this in the face of the following:
Luke 21: 25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken
Peter, Toward the Fiery End
And here I sit In this little cottage. The flock are afraid As the Imperial wolf roams Seeking whom it may devour. The Master told me
These days would come. But also that I Would feed his sheep. That morning on the shore When fish and bread And His dauntless words Pulled my heart back. And He has never failed His visitings To the inner man Almost as real to me now. And I surprise myself Submission, patience, Forbearance, peace Things never to have been found In that blustering Fisherman Of former days. All of His work This I know. And now He promises Swift dismissal. He will sustain. A few searing moments And then the Light. I am ready. The Master is at hand. And I think it not strange.
1 Peter 4: 12, 13
Post script: Upon completing this I received a “like” from Shannon Moreno over at “Revelations in Writing”, an excellent blog filled with glorious prayers and poetic images of our faith inheritance. I clicked at random on the email notice of her visit and got a post from September 17th with the following comment:
“The long and valiant fight of my dear friend, Anne, has come to a close. Last evening, I had the joy of holding her hand as she struggled to breathe her last breaths. She went from suffering struggle to perfect peace, in but a moment. As I was praying for her during the day, seated by her side, God showed me such a sweet picture, and I was actually able to share it with Aine (On-ya), while she was still able to respond. I saw Jesus with outstretched arms, and Aine ran to Him, as a carefree child. He scooped her up and they twirled around and around. When they stopped, Aine rested her head over His heart and He held her close. He spoke and told Aine, “each heartbeat you hear, is just for you.” When she was ready, He set her down, took her hand, and led her along the streets of gold, showing her all that He had prepared for her.”
Wow!
Power In Peter's Estimation
They have lived ordeals Mostly in quiet corners Un-noticed Stumped by the harshness
Of a world for winners Trim, muscular, popular Monstrously self-absorbed Winners. They have found rescue On knees of broken supplication Have heard words from the Risen One Have stood up again Assured of protection, counsel From the Highest And a promised abode In righteousness and peace. They are no longer Terrified by public opinion Peculiar people Peter said Out on a limb Of adventure and loving it Persecuted because clean Begotten again through Words of power And not by any natural means They are called out of darkness Into marvelous light Peter said. Strangely transformed to A royal priesthood A holy nation. Yet now they go about The simple jobs and households Helping where prepared By unlikely instruments Kept by the power of God Unto salvation Ready to be revealed In the last time Wherein they rule and reign With every conceivable virtue For equity, harmony and joy. Christ their destination
(Note: One of my favourite journeys passes right through Peter's First Epistle.)
“Fishers of men� Was your promise That drew us from ships And from sea The gold of the oncoming morning The breeze o'er the Lake Fresh and free. And Brother had caught My attention 'Messiah had surely arrived' And what a friend Came to our table
Before you I scarcely had lived. Before you I ranted And blustered No man could un-nerve me I thought. But then came the Servant girl's question To ruin me Once you'd been caught How could I deny you Dear Master? How could I dismiss Precious grace? But mercy works marvels so sweetly A life saved by your smiling face.