Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Three

Ahhhh … Simon Peter, the man who most people associate with his three-time denial more than any other part of his life, but Jesus saw so much more. He saw a strong, impenetrable, immovable rock of faith and chose him to be the first-listed disciple of The Twelve. Even though he seemed like an unlikely choice, totally unqualified, Peter became the leader of the new movement called The Church. Alongside being a commercial fisherman with his brother he was a learner from the beginning. Yes, he was impulsive, had a quick mind and tongue, however, he possessed what Jesus was looking for: the heart of a disciple.

He was married, with a mother-in-saw whom Jesus healed, and was willing to leave his family business and follow The Man who changed everything in his life. Jesus chose The Twelve to be sent out (apostles) to preach and possess His authority to cast out demons (Mark 3:13-15), in that way Peter would become a ‘fisher of men’. During a fishing adventure Peter obeyed Jesus, subsequently, He performed a miracle by exponentially multiplying his catch to the point of sinking the boat (Luke 5:1-11)! Peter’s response was humility and awe as he fell at Jesus’ feet. That’s the heart of a disciple.

Privileged to be part of the Elite Three (Peter, James, and John), Jesus’ inner circle, He experienced the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and precious moments in the Garden of Gethsemene. From Jesus’ greatest moments of glory to his lowest moments of trials Peter was there learning to trust the Savior in his new faith walk. He understood Jesus had the words of eternal life (John 6:68), and even though he promised not to fall away (Matt. 26:33-35), he fulfilled his Lord’s prophecy: ‘… you will deny Me three times’. The heart of a disciple can have visions of grandeur, but even if we fall He promises to pick us up again as with Peter. After the resurrection Jesus gave him a three-time opportunity to express his love and cancel out the denials. That’s restoration (John 21:15-19).

Jesus saw devotion, faithfulness, and endurance in Peter, consequently, he became the first pastor in Jerusalem, an itinerant preacher, and the writer of two books in the New Testament, who’d meet his early death in Rome by Nero. He asked to be crucified upside down, history tells us, since he felt unworthy to die as his Lord. 

Eventually Peter became the promised fisher of men, rock of the early church, as recorded in the first half of Acts which focuses on his ministry before Paul entered the scene. This unlikely, unqualified fisherman had the heart of a disciple which apparently was what Jesus was looking for and helped change the known world with the gospel. His final written words (2 Peter 3:18) remind us grow in grace and knowledge our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ experiencing His glory now and on the Day of Eternity.