Steady as a Rock

Simon Peter has come a long way. From impulsive fisherman to hesitant disciple, from defender with a sword to denier by a fire, from hesitant host to bold preacher. But now, in the book of Acts, something is different. He’s not just following Jesus anymore, he’s walking in His footsteps.

In Acts 3, we find him at the Temple gate, encountering a man who had been lame from birth. There’s no drama, no showmanship. Just quiet authority. Simon Peter simply looks at him and says: “In the name of Jesus Christ… walk.” And the man does.

It’s the kind of moment that might tempt the old Simon Peter into pride. But here, there’s no trace of ego. No need to be the center. No clever speeches or personal claims. Just faith, and a clear pointer back to Jesus.

The same pattern continues. In Acts 5, people begin to place the sick along the streets, hoping Simon Peter’s shadow might fall on them. It’s not about the shadow, it’s about belief in Christ. And Simon Peter knows it. In Acts 9, he heals Aeneas with only a sentence: “Jesus Christ heals you.” Later, he raises Tabitha from the dead. Again, no performance. Just prayer. Just trust.

This is not the Simon Peter who used to strive to prove himself. This is the man Jesus saw all along: the rock. Not hard or unfeeling, but anchored. Reliable. Spirit-filled. A spiritual adult.

And maybe that’s what this story has been building toward. Not just redemption after failure. Not just restoration after resistance. But transformation into fruitfulness. The restless struggler has become a steady servant.

Sometimes we think spiritual maturity means we no longer wrestle within. But perhaps it simply means we learn to wrestle differently. With more surrender. With more grace. With eyes fixed on Jesus, not on ourselves. So today, ask yourself:

What does spiritual maturity look like in your life? Where might God be calling you to step into deeper wholeness—not for your glory, but for His?

P.S. Are you enjoying this journey with Simon Peter? Your own character might even resemble his. Care to find out? Take our The Chosen 'Test of Character' and journey for a while with the character you have the most in common with.