June 30, 2023

Mark 9: 5, 6  Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) (NIV)

[God] sees our defects, errors, and blemishes. But he also sees our value.*

The conversion of Paul makes for a dramatic story – as does his ministry. His life was a series of adventures, not unlike Indiana Jones. But for an apostle I can relate to, Peter is my guy. Like me, he seemed to subscribe to the “saying something stupid is better than saying nothing at all” school of thought. And also like me, not everything he said was stupid. 

Here are some highlights, starring Peter and his often-unruly, sometimes-silver tongue: 

• “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16: 16) He got it right! 
• “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16: 22) Oops! Jesus had to scold him for not having in mind the things of God. 
• “Let’s put up three shelters . . .” (Mark 9: 5) Because he didn’t know what to say. 
• “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” (Mark 14: 71) Jesus predicted it and he did it – three times. 
• “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” The conclusion to his sermon on the day of Pentecost – after which 3,000 accepted his message and were baptized. 
• “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (II Peter 1: 16) This is Peter’s testimony and it is no less powerful for all the times that he failed. 

God didn’t reject Peter when he failed, nor did Peter give in to despair over his failures. He wasn’t defined by them – he was refined instead. I am encouraged when I see that the man who didn’t know what to say on the mountain that day has been transformed into the one who said, “Listen carefully to what I say,” and 3,000 people did! 

Peter’s life demonstrates what happens when we realize that “failure is an event, not a person.”* Our sermons may not be to thousands; our escapes may not be from prison; but God can use us powerfully if we get back up after we fall.

Peter denied Christ before he preached Christ.*