Peter: What Can We Learn From Peter's Life?ნიმუში

"We Were Eyewitnesses"

Peter has two letters attributed to him in the New Testament, both written to believers scattered across present-day Turkey. The Gospel of Mark is also closely tied to Peter, written by Mark from Peter’s first-hand accounts. This leaves Peter’s fingerprints among both the Gospels and the letters of the New Testament, continuing to encourage and challenge believers even today.

In verse 13-15 of today’s reading, we can see that Peter believed his death was at hand. It was a time of suffering for the church. The Good News of Jesus had spread so far and wide that the Roman empire felt threatened by it. Peter’s letters addressed suffering and false teaching, encouraging the church to remain strong and rooted in truth. He was eventually crucified in Rome, giving his life for Jesus in the same manner as Jesus had done for him.

Peter, though not perfect, was faithful to God’s call. His life was a testimony of the grace of Jesus. He had been called as an uneducated, unimportant fisherman. Throughout his time as a disciple, it was apparent that he often did not have a full understanding of Who Jesus was and what He came to do on the earth. He was a bold leader among the disciples, but often spoke before thinking and failed to back up his words with action. However, Jesus never gave up on him and saw what Peter could become. Peter was profoundly changed by the resurrection and the subsequent empowering of the Holy Spirit. His denial was forgiven. His fear was replaced with a mature faith. Peter’s preaching had power and he performed countless miracles including raising a woman from the dead. He was willing to go to prison and to the death for Jesus. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he helped lead the church’s expansion across the Roman empire, doing new things in new ways to see people come into God’s Kingdom.

There’s much we can learn from his life. God is patient with our shortcomings. He sees our potential. He forgives and redeems. He empowers and uses fallible humans to fulfill His purposes. No matter our beginning, God’s grace can shape our ending. He might even use us to change the world.

Reflection:

What might God want you to take away from this character study of Peter? How will you allow this revelation to change you?

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Sources:

David Guzik Commentary

How to Read the Bible Book by Book - Fee and Stuart