Peter Rollercoaster Disciple
June 1, 2014
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Sister Kristie brought our attention to the first set of verses in this morning’s scripture reading
in her service a couple weeks ago. These verses piqued my interest in Peter, his walk and how
that walk can inform us as Christians. Knowing that God isn’t one to waste words, it seemed
that the repetitive themes of Peter’s journey with Jesus should help us to understand our own
journey and provide us with some words of wisdom on being Christian.
Read- Matthew 14:22-31
So this morning let’s explore Peter and what his discipleship shows us about following God. In
our first story this morning Jesus has tired of the crowds. He sees the threat of the devil in the
attraction that the Disciples see in the adoration of thousands. For this reason, he sends the
disciples off and he remains behind to dismiss the crowds. Then He goes alone to pray.
Meanwhile, the disciples hoist the sails on their boat and begin the trip across the sea of Galilea
or the Galilean Lake. When they get out about 3 miles there is a sudden storm that has them all
scrambling to keep the boat upright and moving forward. Suddenly everyman is as an oar and
all are pulling to preserve themselves. There are experienced sailors in the boat, they know
what to do in this situation. However, they tire as time goes on and begin to despair. At about 4
in the morning they see a vision walking toward them and become fearful, every one of them
sees it and is fearful, even Peter. Then after Jesus identifies himself Peter says ‘If it is you tell
me to come out there.’ Though we can read this as doubt on the part of Peter, scholars differ in
their interpretation. For us this morning, we will stand with the scholars that read it as an
imperative, the need to Peter to talk to Jesus rather than an expression of doubt. Peter is, we
must recognize, the only disciples to lift his head and speak while all others are hunkered down
in fear. Lord, if it’s you. Jesus tells him to come out and Peter jumps out of the boat and goes to
Jesus. Looking around him and realizing the enormity of the storm and his distance from the
boat, he begins to sink. Jesus pulls him back up and takes him to the boat.
There is so much to learn from these few verses, it seems that books could be written.
Talk to Jesus
First, and foremost, Peter shows us that we need to talk with Jesus, we need to connect. Jesus
could have said Peter some out of the boat, Simon come out of the boat. Hey I’ll show you guys
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June 1, 2014
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a neat little trick, jump out of the boat and you can walk on the water. But He does not do that.
He waits and lets Peter decide what he is ready to try. Our testimony assures us that we must
call on God- My eyes are open to see My lonely children and My ears hear your call! I will
do as you ask.
Don’t ponder
When Jesus calls Him Peter is the most enthusiastic Christian ever, he bounds out of the boat
and starts to walk over. He responds without thinking to Jesus call, just as we should respond
without thinking to God’s call. Peter doesn’t stand in the boat and say, well the waves are high
and the wind is strong. He just jumps out confident that Jesus will keep him safe and that when
Jesus says something can be accomplished it really can. He is at the height of Christian faith,
Jesus says it, God says it, it will happen.
Doubt
And then it all comes crashing down around him as he begins to think about the waves and
wind raging around him. He looks around and doubt rushes him, he sinks. How often does that
happen to us. We know what God wants, we begin the process enthusiastically, and then for
whatever reason, lack of money, lack of help, the opinions of others, the frowns of friends, we
begin to doubt what we are doing and the very work that we were called to do falls down
around us. We sink into the world and what those in the world think and our vision our path are
lost.
Jesus saves
Peter is rescued by Jesus from the waves, just was we will always be rescued from the world
and its temptations by Jesus if we call on him for help.
Our testimony pulls it all together like this: Blessed are all who call to me each day asking for
My protection against temptation. Blessed are all who arm themselves with a holy watchfulness
and pray for wisdom and My verifying spirit. They shall not be harmed by the horrors of
temptation. Under My banner, they shall live in splendid peace. Blessed are all who do not fear
the hour of temptation, because their anchor is securely grounded within My heart. And when
their little ship rides upon the roughest waves, headed for the deep abyss, I will reach out My
Peter Rollercoaster Disciple
June 1, 2014
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hand, pull them towards Me, and save them. After the time of testing and temptation is over,
they will praise My goodness.
But let’s hit our second story.
Read- Matthew 16:13-23
What do they know-Peter’s confession
In this instance Jesus is trying to find out what the Disciples actually understand about Him. Do
they see who he really is. The Disciples mumble around about what others are saying. Some say
this, others say this. He pushes them harder but who do you say I am. He is asking them openly
for a confession of their belief. Here again it is Peter who steps up and speaks for the twelve,
You are Christ the Son of the Living God. He proclaims it not as the answer to the question, but
as a revelation, a confession of who Jesus is. Jesus who sees into the hearts of all recognizes the
enormity of what Peter has just proclaimed.
Natural man-saved man
Here Jesus blesses Peter and makes a distinction between Simon Peter son of Jonah and Peter.
It is a transition for Peter from natural man to blessed man. Jesus proclaims he will build his
church on believers such as Peter and the disciples. In the testimony God says it like this: You
shall be a signet ring toward My everlasting remembrance.
Peter as Satan’s mouthpiece
Jesus then begins to explain to the disciples what has to happen when he goes to Jerusalem.
Peter, perhaps bold through his previous confession takes Jesus aside and says-don’t scare the
guys like this, This will never happen to you. And Jesus says “get they behind me satan’. Our
testimony makes it only too clear that we can play this role still today.
Again Peter is on the rollercoaster. From being blessed for his amazing confession to being
condemned as satan’s mouthpiece.
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June 1, 2014
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Our lessons
Again, lessons for us as Christians abound. First, we cannot give lip service to the Godhead of
Jesus. We can pronounce that Jesus is the son of God all we want, but until we believe it with
our hearts it gains us nothing, and perhaps worse gains those we proclaim him to even less.
Through the Testimony God tells us this: But woe unto all who use Me as an excuse to
cover their mistakes, as they blithely follow their own will. Taking the Lord of Darkness
by the hand, they go about their sinful ways. I regard them patiently and though I
continually call to them, I let them pursue their wrong minded ways. They find neither
truth nor rest! Woe unto all who let themselves be used as Satan’s tools, as workers of
iniquity, for through them false Christianity is further misguided.
Through our true confession, our faith we become one of the rocks of the Church. We become
a Peter to be built upon. And finally, never deny the trials and difficulties to come for fear of
losing the glory. Christ had to be crucified to rise, had to die to save. Peter had heard that Christ
must suffer but had not understood the ultimate return. Had not grasped the great good that
waited for all once Jesus had passed through the suffering. Satan used Peter to isolate Jesus
and tempt him with the possibility that he would not have to suffer. That his loyal disciples
would shelter and shield him. Jesus recognizes Satan’s words from Peter and immediately stops
him. Peter so strong in faith had allowed himself to be used for Satan’s work. We have to be so
careful that we do not fall prey to Satan. That our words and our works are reflective of God’s
purpose and not against God’s purpose. When we try to keep others from suffering through a
trial that God has set before them we may actually hinder their growth. We should always be
willing to walk with them through the trial, but we need to be careful not to try to second guess
God’s purpose for others. Hear God through the testimony: While it is true that I often lead a
soul into hell, I also lead that soul out of hell. I enter into hell with them and in the midst
of the bitterest agony, if I am not forsaken, I will grant peace. My soldiers are led
through various trials and tests and, by my holy allowance, they take missteps. If I see
that they try to bend My will to fit their own, I extend My hand and lead them. Through
repentance, such small transgressions serve toward their essential and everlasting
betterment. In those who love Me and desire to follow Me, such innocent, childlike
missteps serve toward improvement.
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June 1, 2014
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The third story
Read- Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75
After spending time with Jesus at the Passover and hearing what must come to pass. Peter
declares that he will stand by Jesus and not be scattered like a shepherdless sheep. He
separates himself from the other disciples and makes it clear that if no one else stands with
Jesus he will. He is secure in his faith, so secure that he contradicts Jesus assurance that he will
deny Jesus 3 times before the cock crows. Peter is feeling ready to face anything for the Jesus
that he confesses and loves. Later, after Jesus arrest and the evidence of violence and hatred
toward everyone on Team Jesus, Peter does indeed deny Jesus three times. He then weeps
bitterly. He despairs.
Over assured Peter
Again with the rollercoaster. From self assured Christian standing on a moveless faith, to
weeping despairing man who cannot find his faith. We learn from Peter that we must be very
careful of how assured we are in our faith. We should never believe that we can do everything
ourselves just because we know Jesus and understand the reality and presence of God. We can
only do what God allows us to, we can only accomplish anything as long as God allows it.
Not predicting-knowing
Jesus was not predicting what Peter would do, he knew what Peter would do. Peter had not
grasped the omniscience of Jesus, his understanding of what was to come. Though he had faith,
he did not translate the faith into true understanding. We need to go beyond faith to
understanding the incredible powers of God. He is not only present but every present, all
knowing, all wise and almighty. He directs, leads, calls, allows. All must respond and account to
Him.
We close our commentary this morning with the beautiful story of Peter’s reclamation by Jesus.
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June 1, 2014
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Read- John 21:15-17
Peter has been despairing for some time. Since his denial of Jesus in the Garden we have heard
very little of him and his activities. Now Jesus works calls to him out in the water and in his
Rollercoaster way Peter takes off his outer clothes and dives right in to swim to Jesus. His
excitement and enthusiasm for Jesus is still there. Then Jesus puts him through the series of
questions that redeems him for the triple denial. Three times he asks do you love me and three
times Peter answers that he does.
Ultimately our God is constant. Though we go up and down in our ability to hold our faith. One
day, one moment we are the confident Peter jumping out of the boat and the next moment we
are sinking under the weight of our doubt. But Jesus died so that the Hand of God could always
enfold us. Once we have declared our faith God does all He can to keep us within His fold.
Blessed are all who do not fear the hour of temptation, because their anchor is securely
grounded within My heart. And when their little ship rides upon the roughest waves, headed
for the deep abyss, I will reach out My hand, pull them towards Me, and save them.