Peter’s Lessons

This is the discussion for Lesson 8: From Folly to Faith: The Apostle Peter. For the week ended 23 August 2008.

This week we’ll be looking at a couple of episodes in the life of Peter which highlight his character traits and discuss how Jesus worked with him to overcome some of his flaws.

Walking on the Water

The instance where Peter ‘walked on the water’ says much about his character. Matt. 14:22-32

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  Matt 14:26-28 (NKJV)

Peter was often the first to respond to things. He wasn’t a spectator! It is an interesting thing that he asks Jesus – it is driven by a love of Jesus and a desire to be with Him. Ellen White notes that “Faith and unbelief were blended in his words and actions.” He still didn’t fully believe Jesus’ words because he says “if it is You”.

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matt 14:29,30 (NKJV)

Things started well, but then fear overcame Peter and he began to sink into the stormy sea. Ellen White provides the insight that:

Peter had taken only a step upon the surface of the boiling deep, when he looked back proudly toward his companions to see if they were watching his movements, and admiring the ease with which he trod upon the yielding water…

…When he took his eyes from Jesus in order to note the admiration of others, he lost guidance, and doubt and fear seized upon him. So it is in the Christian life; nothing but an eye firmly fixed upon the Saviour will enable us to tread the stormy billows of the world. Ellen White SP p 269,270

It’s an interesting lesson. When we take our eyes off Jesus, we focus on our own situation and our own power to save ourselves. It is then we sink.

Happily for Peter, as he was sinking he remembers Jesus and calls out for help.

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matt 14:31 (NKJV)

Can you think of times in your life when your eyes were not on Jesus and this made it easier to fail in some regard? I can see instances where I’ve fallen into the same trap this last week.

Let’s see if the ‘eyes off Jesus’ factor is relevant in the next story of Peter:

Peter’s Denial

There were a couple of key items leading up to Peter’s denial of Jesus. His denial wasn’t just an isolated random event. Consider the following:

Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Mark 14:29 (NKJV)

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matt 26:40,41 (NKJV)

And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. Matt 26:74-76 (NKJV)

Peter had been ready to take up arms in defense of Christ, but to acknowledge the Lord when he was the object of scorn and derision, was more than he had courage to do. He was a moral coward, and with curses and oaths he denied that he knew his Master. Peter had been warned of this temptation; but he did not realize his danger, and therefore had not prepared himself for the trial. Ellen White, Review & Herald April 7, 1891

It’s interesting that Ellen White links Peter’s overconfidence with a lack of preparation which led to his denial. I wonder whether Peter would have reacted better if he had prayed in the garden rather than slept?

This really highlights the need to surrender our self-confidence to the sufficiency of God. After doing this we will recognise the need to prepare ourselves through regular time spent with God in prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with other Christians.  Then we will be able to keep our eyes on Jesus through any storm that comes.

We know that Peter’s despair (his ‘bitter weeping’) resulted in a time of reflection, leading to repentance and real conversion that set him up for a powerful life of service for the Lord. We know that Jesus prayed for this very outcome – how good is that?

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31,32 (NKJV)

Peter’s Passion

Peter’s failings were very visible, but we shouldn’t lose sight of the wonderful passion that he had for his friend and saviour Jesus.

Peter was first among the disciples to voice the belief that Jesus was the Son of God. He was first out of the boat when Jesus came walking on the water in the storm. While he ultimately failed, he did leap to Jesus’ defence with his sword in the garden. Similarly when he recognised the risen Saviour on the shore while fishing, he reacted immediately and threw caution to the wind – jumping into the water and swimming to be first to meet up with him. (They had much to talk about!).

While we need to ensure that we don’t fall into the same traps as Peter, we also need to guard against having an ‘anti-Peter’ temperament. That is, one that plays careful and doesn’t take risks but has a dead passionless relationship with God!

That’s all for this week. (Sorry it was been posted late.) As always – interested in any thoughts you have on the material this week in the comments below. See you next week!