Written by Dawn Rutan
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
