One of the arguments for the historicity of the Bible is the
fact that the writers didn’t sugarcoat the narrative. They portrayed people
with all their faults and failures. I was thinking about that particularly in
relation to the Apostle Peter. The transformation that takes place in his life
between the writing of the four Gospels and when he wrote his epistles has to
be attributed to the grace of God. In addition, what he wrote in his letters
takes on greater meaning when you remember the experiences behind it. Consider just
a few examples:
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness
of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may
be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV). This comes from the man who denied Jesus three
times when the heat was on. Luke’s gospel tells us that Peter wept bitterly over
his denial (22:62). He was indeed grieved about failing the test.
“Be subject for the
Lord’s sake to every human institution… For this is a gracious thing, when,
mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly” (1 Peter 2:13,
19). And yet Peter was known for having drawn a sword to fight against Jesus’
arrest in the garden (John 18:10). Jesus rebuked him and then set the example of
enduring sorrow while suffering unjustly.
“And after you have
suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His
eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and
establish you” (1 Peter 5:10). Peter got a taste of this graceful restoration
after Jesus’ resurrection when He met them on the beach (John 21:15-17). I’m
sure he also remembered Jesus’ words prior to the crucifixion, “I have prayed
for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again,
strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Peter continued to do this through his
preaching and writing until the end of his life.
“As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the
sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being
built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5). Peter was
the one that Jesus told “on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18),
and yet he did not claim any special authority greater than that of any other
believers. He said we are all being built together into God’s house.
Peter experienced all the highs and lows of following Jesus,
from the transfiguration to the crucifixion, from walking on water to breakfast
on the beach. He had a lot to teach from what he had learned along the way, and
we can still learn from him. If God can take someone like Peter—brash, speaking
before thinking, easily swayed by circumstances—and make him a valuable
contributor to the church, how much can He do with each of us? What lessons
have we learned that we need to share with others? We tend to think that our
lessons are too personal or too painful to be shared, or that we have nothing
new to say. But God will work through anyone who is willing to be honest and
open about what He has done and is doing in their life. Each of us has a
different circle of friends who need to hear the truth. Our lives become the
continuous, living testimony to God’s existence and ability to transform
people.
Peter could have denied Jesus and then disappeared from
history. On the beach he could have told Jesus, “Yes, I love You, but I’m done
with this fishing-for-men thing. I’ve had all I can take.” Instead, fifty days
later he was boldly proclaiming who Jesus was, and thousands of lives were
changed as a result. Perhaps a bit of his boldness can rub off on us as we
trust God to use us for His kingdom.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may
proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light.” -1 Peter 2:9
© 2014 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise
indicated all images are copyright free from pixabay.com. The
opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or
employer.
