Simon Peter

“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him”
(Matthew 4:18 – 20).

Jesus Christ called a complex diverse group to follow Him. Each had a unique personality. Based on the interaction recorded in the Scriptures Simon Peter must have been one of, if not the most outspoken one. He was a blithe bold believer who took a stand and spoke out on many things. He was reprimanded by Christ and reprimanded Christ. He was bold enough to draw a sword against a contingency of Roman soldiers and cowardly enough to recoil when confronted by a single young woman. His visibility makes him one of the most familiar apostles.

A first grader had listened attentively as the teacher told of the men Christ called to follow Him. The teacher then asked, “What were the men who followed Christ called?” After a momentary pause one little enthusiast put his hand eagerly. When called upon to tell what the men were called the child said, “They were called recycles!” We might call them transformed apostles but that is Greek for “recycles.” That is what all of us are.

The various lists of apostles varies but the same one is always listed first and the same one last. Peter is always listed first and Judas Iscariot last.

Affectionately known as “the Big Fisherman,” Paul called him, along with James and John, “pillars” of the church (Galatians 2: 9).

John Chrysostom (347 – 407 A.D.) said Peter was “the mouthpiece of the apostles … the leader of the apostolic chorus — the pillar of the church, the basis of faith, the foundation of our confession (You are the Christ), the World-wide Fisherman who brought our race heavenward from the abyss of error.” (“The Twelve Christ Chose,” Smith).

Peter was one of the members of the inner circle that often had special moments with Christ. He was:

I. DARING
When Judas brought the cadre of Roman soldiers to the Garden of Gethsamene to arrest Christ it was Peter who drew a sword and attempted to defend Christ (John 18: 10).

Christ had previously told the apostles they should each purchase sword “Then He said to them, ‘But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one'” (Luke 22:36).

Why would Christ tell them to purchase swords and then rebuke Peter for using his. The Greek word translated “sword” is MACHAIRA. It was a short bladed dagger like knife. Such was an essential possession of all men. It was not a weapon for fighting, but for preparing food, cutting food, and various utilitarian purposes. Telling them to purchase such a “sword” would be like a scout master telling troop members to bring along their Swiss Army Knife on their camping trip. There was nothing warlike about having such a sword. It was Peter’s improper use of it that Christ condemned.

It is probably a stretch of the imagination to conceive of Christ saying that night in Gethsamene, “Peter, put that thing away. I am suppose to die tomorrow on a cross, but if you keep that up we will all be killed tonight in a street fight.”

Peter’s act was a brave impulsive but improper one.

Our zeal for our Lord must be tempered and timely.

In the upper room on the eve of Christ’s crucifixion Peter had boldly asserted that even if all the others deserted Him he, Peter, would not (Matthew 26: 33 – 35). Christ forewarned Peter as to how imminent his betrayal would be. He told him that before the cock would crow three times he would betray Him.

II. DEFLATEABLE
After Christ’s arrest Peter followed the contingency to the house of the high priest and waited around a fire in the outer courtyard. A young woman who had seen Peter with Christ identified him as a follower of Christ (Matthew 26: 58 – 75).

Three times she identified him and three times he denied Christ.

The third betrayal was followed immediately by the crowing of the cock. Peter was deflated.

Those of us who all too often feel like failures can relate. Thank the Lord the story doesn’t end there.

III. DIRECT
Peter revealed many attitudes that prevail in our time. He once asked Christ: “Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?'” (Matthew 19:27).

Transliterated, “What is in for me?”

Later when the mother of James and John asked Christ to let her boys sit on his right and left Peter was one of the ten that was highly indignant about it. They were upset that their little Jewish mothers let her beat them to asking the same question.

What is in if for me? The pay off is two fold.

One, the joy of being with the Lord and doing His will. Inherent in it is the reward. We need to remember that. The pay off is in the process.

Secondly, the pay off is deferred. The pay may not be much but the benefits are eternal.

IV. DECLARATIVE
Christ asked His apostles who they thought Him to be. Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

This factual revelation gave Christ occasion to declare the foundation of the church He was to build: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

V. DEVOTED
Peter was the first apostle at the tomb of the resurrected Christ (Luke 24: 12). What he saw transformed his life and started a wave of transitions that changed history. The empty tomb filled Simon with zeal.

VI. DEDICATED
Jesus, the resurrected Lord, said, “But go, tell His disciples; and Peter; that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you” (Mark 16:7).

Some think Peter was giving up in despair when he said, “I am going fishing.” What he meant was in light of Christ saying He was going to be in Galilee I am going where Christ is.

There on the shores of the sea Peter saw the resurrected Lord whom he had denied. Three times Christ asked him if he loved Him. Simon’s responses revealed a dedication that thrust him into a life time of spreading the good news.

Later Peter wrote two books contained in our Bible bearing his name: I and II Peter. Therein he appeals: “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (II Peter 1: 4 – 9).

Christ had said of Peter he would be called “the Rock.” In this passage Peter reveals the process by which sand is turned into a rock.

Peter became a fearless leader, filled with courage born of a faith in Christ and an awareness of His presence in every time of need.

The faith of Peter, tradition tells us, propelled him into France and England preaching the good news. Tradition further holds that Peter was condemned by Nero to be crucified. He said he was not worthy to die as his Lord and asked that he be crucified upside down. He was rock solid.

How Is Your Love Life? Part Two

Galatians 5: 19 – 26

Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35).

Our culture is one noted for synthetics, substitutes, and simulations.  When anything of value is made, immediately someone will copy it.  It is the most common form of flattery. One common characteristic of the fakes is they never meet the standards of the genuine.

Our Lord said “love.”  Many of His followers took Him at His word and did it.  The impact and influence was so dramatic that the world tried to copy it.  Hoping for the same fulfilling result offered by genuine love, the world has come up even more empty as a result of fake love.

Love such as Christ spoke of is revealed to be a product of a Holy Spirit-filled life.  In Galatians 5:22 we are given a list of the “fruit” of the Spirit.  Upon first looking at the passage, it appears there is an improper verb tense used.  The word “fruit” is singular, but the result is plural.  This is easily understood when we understand the meaning of what the Greek word translated “fruit” means to our modern mind.  It was the word “karpos” which can be translated “harvest.”  The time of harvest is still called the fruit season in some areas.  In this light the writer was saying “The things the Holy Spirit harvests in a believer’s life are….”

What follows is a bumper crop of what a life that is obedient to Jesus results in, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Standing forth as the first on the list is what energizes all others … love. It is the trademark of a Spirit filled life. It has to be expressed because love is a very, an active verb, meaning it is something that you do. To say you love a person or institution and not show it is an oxymoron. 

Consider this Greek word translated “love” in comparison with the others. 

“Agape” is the Greek word translated “love.” We have one word love for a variety of emotions, acts, and attitudes. The definitive Greek language has several.

Another is “eros.”  They used this word to speak of love that we know as physical attraction between persons on a sexual level.  Their word for that emotion was not related to what was meant by agape.  We get our word “erotic” from their word. How would it sounds to say “I erotic you?”

“Philos,” was the Greek word for a kind of love which we describe by friendship or brotherly love.  It is warm affection apart from any sexual attraction at all.

Agape is the Greek word most often translated love” in the Bible.  The word emerged in the Bible era meaning “the ultimate willful act of self-sacrificing for the welfare of someone else.” Agape kind of love is Calvary’s love.  The proto-type of agape is the love Christ showed us. We ought so to love one another.

How Is Your Love Life? Part One

Galatians 5: 19 – 26

Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35).

Our culture is one noted for synthetics, substitutes, and simulations.  When anything of value is made, immediately someone will copy it.  It is the most common form of flattery. One common characteristic of the fakes is they never meet the standards of the genuine.

Our Lord said “love.”  Many of His followers took Him at His word and did it.  The impact and influence was so dramatic that the world tried to copy it.  Hoping for the same fulfilling result offered by genuine love, the world has come up even more empty as a result of fake love.

Love such as Christ spoke of is revealed to be a product of a Holy Spirit-filled life.  In Galatians 5:22 we are given a list of the “fruit” of the Spirit.  Upon first looking at the passage, it appears there is an improper verb tense used.  The word “fruit” is singular, but the result is plural.  This is easily understood when we understand the meaning of what the Greek word translated “fruit” means to our modern mind.  It was the word “karpos” which can be translated “harvest.”  The time of harvest is still called the fruit season in some areas.  In this light the writer was saying “The things the Holy Spirit harvests in a believer’s life are….”

What follows is a bumper crop of what a life that is obedient to Jesus results in, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Standing forth as the first on the list is what energizes all others … love. It is the trademark of a Spirit filled life. It has to be expressed because love is a verb, an active verb, meaning it is something that you do. To say you love a person or institution and not show it is an oxymoron. 

Consider this Greek word translated “love” in comparison with the others. 

“Agape” is the Greek word translated “love.” We have one word, love for a variety of emotions, acts, and attitudes. The definitive Greek language has several.

Another is “eros.”  They used this word to speak of love that we know as physical attraction between persons on a sexual level.  Their word for that emotion was not related to what was meant by agape.  We get our word “erotic” from their word. How would it sounds to say “I erotic you?”

“Philos,” was the Greek word for a kind of love which we describe by friendship or brotherly love.  It is warm affection apart from any sexual attraction at all.

“Agape” is the Greek word most often translated as love in the Bible.  The word emerged in the Bible era meaning “the ultimate willful act of self-sacrificing for the welfare of someone else.” Agape kind of love is Calvary’s love.  The proto-type of agape is the love Christ showed us. We ought to love one another.

How to Develop a Strong Faith – Part Three

Psalm 27

In our uncertain time stabilizing faith is needed. Compacted in the 27th Psalm are found sequential steps involved in developing a strong faith. Let’s dig them out like a miner who has just struck a major pay-load vein of rich ore. Each is essential to the other and none are possible without the first.

SALVATION “The Lord is my light and my salvation, Whom shall I fear?”  (Verse 1)

“The Lord” is a reference to Jesus Christ.  For us it is a clear prophetic reference to Immanuel, God with us. It identifies the virgin born, sinless God incarnate who shed His blood for our sins on Calvary.

A SUPPLY OF SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH 

“The Lord is the strength of my life….”(Vs. 1b)

This has to do with eternal security. All stability in time has to do with security in eternity. 

Once a person enters into union with Christ as Savior they are in eternal union with Him and nothing can get them out of that union.

STUDY “One thing have I desired of the Lord….” (Vs.4)

The house of the Lord to which he made reference was the tabernacle. People in that era could not read. Therefore, the Lord devised symbols to teach them great doctrinal truths. Every item in the house of the Lord, the tabernacle, symbolized some great truth. Today we can read; and the Lord teaches us these truths through His written Word, the Bible. 

His “desire” is comparable to our hunger for a better understanding of God’s Word. This requires study.

The expression “To behold the beauty of the Lord” means to meditate on His graciousness. To meditate on means to fill your mind with.

The Psalmist then says he wants to “inquire in His temple.” The word “inquire” meant to investigate. It is a further reference to searching God’s Word.

If you want faith to face today’s tests, you must study God’s Word.

SECURITY “In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion…” (Vs. 5)

The “pavilion” was the outer court in the tabernacle. “In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion” is comparable to saying, “The Word of God comforts me.”

SPIRIT GUIDANCE “The Lord is my Light” (Vs. 1)

Christ is our illuminating source. He indwells the believer in the person of His Holy Spirit. Thus our stability is within us. It is not dependent upon externals.

Jesus Did Party Hardy 3/23/98

John 12:1-11
Page 1574 Come Alive Bible

Jesus Christ was God incarnate, that is, God in flesh and blood. As such, by His spirit today, He wants to work in and through your flesh and blood. On a rare occasion immediately preceding His betrayal, He gathered some of the most remarkable trophies of His grace to illustrate for us His power to transform lives. By looking in on this celebration we can get a glimpse of what He can do in lives – our lives.

I. THE GUESTS
JESUS was the joyous guest of honor. His presence there dispels the stereotype of a party chilling Christ. On one occasion, at a party in His honor, He was so jubilant His detractors accused Him of being drunk. When He saves us He doesn’t rob us of social grace or cancel our need for expressing joy.

“…the joy of the LORD is your strength”” (Nehemiah 8:10). If that is true, and it is, how strong are you?

SIMON was the happy host. Matthew 26: 6-13 records him as the host. Jesus saved him and cleansed him of leprosy, now he shows his gratitude. Leprosy, the flesh consuming disease, was the most dreaded disease of the era. Persons having it were quarantined by being ostracized. They were required if approached by a person to cry out “Unclean, unclean.” If the shadow of a leper touched a person they bathed seven times in a cleansing effort. This man had great cause for devotion to Christ.

Dr. Richard Clark Cabbot and his staff at the Mayo Clinc after years of observation concluded four things contribute to good health. They are WORK, PLAY, LOVE, AND WORSHIP. All four of these were involved at the party at which Jesus was celebrating.

Lazarus loved Him for healing him; Martha was working; Mary in worship. All three were engaged in play by attending the party.

The American Medical Association estimates one-half of the people in hospitals are there because of an ailment the body caught from the brain. They need to engage in these four things.

LAZARUS the credential of creditability, never more alive and well, is at the table with Jesus. Just hours before this Christ had brought him back from the dead. For four days his lifeless body had been in the cold tomb.

His resurrection confirms life beyond the grave.

In one of his lighter moments, Benjamin Franklin penned his own epitaph. The Scriptural teaching regarding the bodily resurrection evidently influenced his thoughts. I marveled to note his grave stone:
The body of B. Franklin, Printer
Like the Cover of an old Book
Its contents torn out,
And stript of its Letting and Guilding
Lies here, food for Worms,
But the Work shall not be wholly lost:
For it will, as he believed,
Appear once more
In a new and more perfect Edition,
Corrected and amended by the Author.

These two were trophies of Christ’s triumph, one He healed the other He resurrected.

MARY AND MARTHA the spirited sisters are there.

Martha is in her customary place of service.

Mary is again the attentive one.

THE CROWD. As was the custom in those days, people came to homes where there was a notable guest just to see the celebrity. They came to see Jesus and Lazarus because of Lazarus’ new life.

The gospel uses a significant word to refer to the religious leaders of the day. Anytime the term “the Jews” appears it does not refer to the general population but to the religious leaders of the day. Their motive for being there was not a pure one. They came wanting to put Lazarus to death (Vs. 10). As long as he lived the story of his new life from death would spread.

Many pilgrims to the Passover wanted to see Lazarus. Word of him as a “living sign” raced through the crowd. Lazarus was on the “hit list” of the religious leaders. This in part is why Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not write of the resurrection of Lazarus. It would have only incited the religious leaders more and further endangered the lives of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. John wrote after their death, and it offered them no threat.

Because of Lazarus “many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus” (Vs. 11). The Greek use of the imperfect tense indicates there was a continuing growing number of defections from the Sanhedrin. This is confirmed in Acts 6:7: “…and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

Lazarus, new life also attracted people to Christ. We, too, by our changed life must attract persons to Him.

In attempting to attract persons to Christ you are doing them the greatest of favors. You are not only endeavoring to introduce them to eternal life, but to the abundant life here and now. We will never exhaust the meaning of the statement by Christ: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Current research reveals some of the present tense blessing inherent in knowing Christ.

Many studies have shown that religious belief can prevent many problems within families and society in general. For example, frequent U.S. churchgoers are about 50% less likely to suffer psychological problems, 50% less likely to get a divorce, and 71% less likely to become an alcoholic than the general public.¹

According to a Gallup Poll the number of American families who say religion is playing a more important role in their lives climbed by 40% from November 1992 to December 1995.

There is also growing evidence of links between spirituality and good health. A recent survey finds that 79% of American adults believe that strong spiritual faith can help people recover from illness or injury, and 56% say their faith has helped them in their own recovery.

Researchers further note associated revelations.

There is a rise in church attendance. In 1995, 42% attended services, compared to only 37 in 1940. Paralleling this are some significant decreases.

The divorce rate fell to 4.6 per 1000 Americans in 1994. That is the lowest rate since 1973.

The teenage birth rate declined for the fourth straight year in 1995. The birth rate for unmarried women dropped for the first time in 20 years.

According to the FBI the number of murders and other violent crimes in large U.S. cities dropped by 8% in 1995.

Three of these characters reveal various aspects of the Christian life.

LAZARUS, witnessed – MARTHA, served – MARY, worshiped

II. THE QUEST
Mary broke the alabaster bottle. The Holy Spirit led her to give her best to Christ. She poured it on Christ’s head as well as His feet according to combined Bible facts. A woman’s hair is her glory. She wiped His feet with her hair thus giving Him the glory.

Mary’s aromatic ointment, called Spikenard, was a rare import from India. Its value was equivalent to a years wages. By contrast, Jesus had told a story of a widow giving the smallest coin of the day, a mite, and her giving also lives as a memorial.

It is not who gives most that gives best, but who gives his or her best.

Three times Mary is depicted at Jesus feet.

1) She “sat at His feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39).

A young man heard an older man speak of the grace of God in a wonderful and insightful manner. After the service he ask the speaker where he learned such truths. He said at “Mary’s College.” “Mary’s College, where is that?” asked the young man. “Look it up in Luke 10: 39,” replied the sage. He had learned by sitting at the feet of Jesus as we do every time we read the Scripture.

2) Mary “fell at His feet” in distress at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:32).

3) Now she knelt at His feet (John 12:32).

Judas spoke his first recorded words: “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:5). His question was not prompted because of his concern for the poor, but because he was a selfish thief.

This carping question by Judas is an example of how unproductive people try to devalue good actions. When a deed is done, they don’t condemn it outright; they just say a better one should have been done instead. Persons who do good must expect their motives to be questioned, and their deeds looked upon with suspicion.

In ancient Jewish thought preparation for death was considered a greater “good work” than giving to the poor. Judas and everyone else there knew this.

The devil was soon to lead him to do his worst.

According to verse 7 there obviously was some ointment remaining. Jesus further denounced the attitude of Judas by saying, “But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial’” (John 12:7).

Then Jesus added: “For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always” (John 12:8).

By this He meant there are some things you can do at any time, but there are other things which can only be done once. She gave what she had when she had the opportunity.

This passage also reveals that spiritual needs also take precedent over social welfare needs. Both are legitimate, but we must establish our priorities. She gave what she could.

By contrast Judas also sensed the growing evidence the end was near and he went to negotiate for 30 pieces of silver. He wanted to get what he could.

III. THE REQUEST
Mary. She gave ointment worth 300 pieces of silver. That translates into a years salary. She seemed to comprehend the fact of the end and gave Him what she had. Others waited.

Her act of devotion was normally reserved for a member of royalty.

Judas went immediately and negotiated for 30 pieces of silver. He, too, seemed to sense the finale and evidenced an attitude of getting what he could.

Jesus reprimanded the disciples for rebuking her. Other gospels let us know they had joined the dispute (Mark 14:4). Jesus said “…let her alone…” Mary is spoken of as blessed. Judas is spoken of as though it were better that he had not been born.

C.S. Lewis in the “Great Divorce” notes,”There are two kinds of people. Those who in time say to Christ, ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom Christ shall say in eternity, ‘Thy will be done.'”

¹Is Progress Speeding Up, John Marks Templeton, (Summary p. 13).