Every time I read about the apostle Peter’s early life, I feel that we must be related. Poor Peter, always putting his foot in his mouth over one thing or another. I remember many times in my life when my mouth opened, seemingly of its own accord, and words came out that I longed to grab and stuff back in.
Soon after declaring that Jesus was the Messiah, Peter rebuked Jesus when He told the disciples that He must be killed and raised to life on the third day. Rebuking Jesus! I can just imagine his chagrin when he realized the enormity of what he’d done, especially when Jesus quickly turned to him and said, “Get behind me, Satan.” (Matthew 16:23 NIV) How he must have grieved — as I have grieved over sins during my life.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter rashly offered to raise shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, turning a glorious gathering into a mundane moment. So typical of his — and my — personality, to offer unneeded solutions on the spur of the moment to those who don’t need or want them.
He’s probably best known for denying that he knew Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest, especially after he had stoutly declared just a few hours before, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matthew 26:35a NIV) Scripture records that he went outside and wept bitterly. I can, unfortunately, remember times when my actions or words have not shown that I am a child of God.
Soon after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples as they were fishing. Still the impetuous Peter, he jumped into the water (leaving his friends to take care of the net full of fish), and waded to the beach. Jesus met him on the beach, and forgiving all, He gave Peter his life’s task: “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17c NIV) Because of this, Peter later wrote:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)
God’s grace abounds. I’ve experienced that grace, as I hope you have.
After being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter was a changed man. He had a personality transformation — foot-in-mouth Peter became stand-up-for-the-Lord Peter, courageously and boldly preaching to the Jewish leaders, enduring prison hardships, and accepting the Lord’s challenge to get out of his comfort zone to witness to Gentiles.
I have discovered that as I spend more time with God in His Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other Christians, I, too, have experienced God’s grace and forgiveness and am learning to control my Peter-like tendencies. Have you discovered that this is true for you, as well?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting Peter’s life in the Bible to show us Your grace and forgiveness for a life that is so much like ours. Thank You for Peter’s testimony of his transformation and witness, to show us that we, too, can be transformed into Your image. Amen.
Copyright © 2021, by Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission
