Peter is my Man!

Of the twelve apostles who I have come to know during apostles series in our Dgroup, I liked Simon Peter and John the Beloved the most. They have distinct characteristics that I can relate myself with.  But I chose to delve on Simon Peter because I felt an affinity about this man. It’s like I could not think of any other apostle who I could possibly associate myself with.

Simon Peter was dynamic, bold, likes to initiate and to take charge of things. He was an ardent servant of Christ. But just like anyone else, there was a point in time when he turned his back to Christ for his own convenience.

Just like him, I am a type of a see-saw believer when I was still younger. I used to be vehement in honoring and serving the Lord, especially when things go smoothly. But when things get tough, it’s just so easy for me to deny Christ and turn my back to him--- not just for three times, but for innumerable times.

But God is just so gracious, even after the betrayal that he got from Peter’s denial during His trial. When He came back, He entrusted Peter with so much. He had given him a task and that is to tend his sheep. (John 21:16). When He was given such a task, Jesus also told him how he would die for Christ’s sake. That time, he did not protest to the Lord that it certainly would not happen the way he had about the cock crowing.

Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified, as was Jesus, but in his case he asked to be placed upside down on his cross because he did not consider himself worthy to die the same way as his Lord. So when Jesus said to follow him was he talking about how Peter would die? Yes but I don’t think he meant just Peter’s physical death.

Earlier in his public ministry Jesus told his disciples, “’If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’” (Matthew 16:24) He also said “’He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.’” (John 12:25) Even if we never become martyrs we are all called to take up our own cross and it will be different for each one of us. What exactly is the cross? In a nutshell it’s death to self.

Another thing that I like about Peter is that he lived up to his name. His name became his character. What kind of a guy was Simon, renamed Peter (meaning “Rock”) by Jesus? His name became his prophetic destiny, as he was a strong pillar to the pioneering (infant) Christian church. When Jesus first knew him however, you might have thought his new name would be “Rash” rather than Rock. He was impulsive, emotional and impetuous--- just like me. Passionate to be sure, like when he “struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear” (John 18:11) in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It’s often said that our greatest gifts are also our greatest weaknesses. Peter is a good example of that. When Jesus first saw Peter and his brother Andrew casting their nets he said, “’Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4:19) They didn’t mull it over for a month or two or consult with family and friends. “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Verse 20) See, decisive!

It’s good to be decisive but the negative side to that is being rash, hotheaded, reckless and premature. Peter could easily lay claim to those things too. And what came out of his mouth was also the best and the worst. When Christ asked his disciple who they thought he was it was Peter who said, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29) But near the end of Jesus’ ministry it was out of the same mouth that came the words, “Woman, I do not know Him.” (Luke 22:57)

When there was a point in time when I had to decide whether I’ll stay in my previous work or push-through a three-day-evangelistic event, I was so decisive, I chose the latter. I highly believed it was the right thing. At that time, I thought I was like Peter who simply laid down my net. But when my net hasn't gotten any fish right after, I was dismayed and disappointed that I resented God. Saying things like, “Lord, I did it for you, could you just do something for me too?” There was a point in time when I was so hype up but when things got pretty messed up, I just deny the Lord. I was selfish, I just wanted Him for my convenience. I was a radical worshipper and an irrational one at the same time.

When Jesus told Peter that the day would come when others would lead him where he did not wish to go he was telling him that in order to follow him he must give up those very things that made him who he was. God created Peter with a unique personality that was good. But in the end he would have to lay it down. Death to his self, his flesh, his desires and even that which was his best to use for God’s kingdom. That was his cross.

As we choose to lay down our life let us contemplate Peter, a worthy role model in our daily trek to the cross. Then finally, consider this: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) HE is greater than I.