Peter, the rock

Peter is mentioned first. His Greek name was Simon (Mark 1:16; John 1:40, 41), and his Hebrew name was Cephas (1:12; 3:22; 9:5 and Galatians 2:9). The Greek meaning of Simon is rock—‘small stone, firestone, sling stone, moving boulder’—while in Aramaic: ‘grown rock, rocky range, cliff, grotto’. The Arabic meaning of Cephas is also rock. He was one of the prominent three, along with John and James.

Call of Peter

Simon Peter, son of Jonas, was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew, who lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum. By trade, Peter was a fisherman. He was a married man (1 Corinthians 9:5), and his home was Capernaum. Lord Jesus borrowed Peter's boat and used it to preach on Lake Gennesaret. Lord Jesus commanded Peter to lower their nets and got a huge catch. After that Lord called them to be His disciples. (Luke 5:1-11)

Dynamism of Peter

Peter was the first to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16) Peter walked on the sea. He wanted the Lord to wash his feet, hands, and head. (John 13:2-11) He cut the ear of Malchus, which was restored by the Lord.

Denial of Peter

Lord warned Peter that he would deny him thrice before the cock crows twice. (Matthew 26:34) A female servant spots Peter, but he denies the Lord, as the rooster crowed. (Mark 14:66-75) Peter had Jewish pride intact and did not consider Gentiles as equals or worthy of receiving salvation. He was rebuked through a trance and later by Paul.

Post resurrection

Mary Magdalene first saw the resurrected Christ. Peter was the first person to enter the Empty Tomb. (John 20:1-9) John saw the empty tomb, but Peter entered it first. The Lord sent a loving message to Peter through Mary. (Mark 16:7)

Restoration

When the disciples reached the shore, the Lord served breakfast and had a moving conversation with Peter. Lord asked: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15) Peter acknowledged that he loved Him more than the place, profession of fishing, possession of boats and nets, and peers.

Day of Pentecost

Peter exhorted the crowd on the Day of Pentecost that Jesus is not only our Saviour but also our ‘Lord’ (Acts 2:36). The Lord of Heaven and earth is also ‘Lord’ of us. Three thousand people were baptized.

Facing persecution

Peter ministered in Lydda, Joppa, Caesarea, and Corinth. He and John were twice taken to the Sanhedrin. They spoke boldly, stating that they should obey God rather than men. Peter was also arrested in Jerusalem and put in prison by Agrippa I. The Lord sent his angel to liberate him. Tradition says he was crucified, head downward, in Rome.

Epistle of Peter

Peter wrote two epistles. He influenced Mark, who wrote the gospel of Mark.

Challenge

Peter proves that failure, like denial, is not final. Resilient Peter bounced back to become a dynamic disciple and inspires us today.