Selected Scriptures
WHAT NOW PETER?
If anyone knew what it
meant to have "ups and downs" it was the Apostle Peter.
He was certainly up when
his brother Andrew found him and took him to Jesus.
Not only did he find the
Messiah, the Savior, The Son of God, but Jesus told
him,
"Thou art Simon the
son of Jona: thou shalt be
called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."
(John 1:42)
Not too long after that
Peter allowed Jesus to use his boat for some teaching. Jesus then told him to launch
out for a catch. Peter was up when he said, "Master, we have toiled all
the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the
net." (Luke 5:5) Imagine Peter's
surprise when two boats began to sink as a result of the catch of fish. Peter
was brought low enough to say, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O
Lord." (Luke 5:8) Peter was brought
back up by Jesus' encouraging words, "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men." (Luke 5:10)
Peter had similar
"ups and downs" when Jesus walked on the water (Matthew
Peter's greatest down
time is recorded in Matthew 26:31-35 and 69-75. Peter had "blown it"
and done dumb things before, but this denial of Jesus was his greatest failure,
his biggest "down".
He was totally done! Was
there forgiveness for Him? Was there a second chance? Would Peter ever serve
the Master again?
Some time in your life
you will feel just like Peter. You will
wonder if the Lord can or will forgive you or if the Lord will ever use you in
His service again. When you feel this
way you will be asking the same question that Peter was asking, "What
now?" When this happens, remember
the answers that Peter received.
What now, Peter?
NOW THERE IS FORGIVENESS
Failure because of sin
requires forgiveness.
After the final events
of Jesus' life, Peter, of all the Apostles, needed forgiveness the most.
He had been most adamant
in his loyalty to Christ and most flagrant by denying Him.
In Mark 16:6-7 an angel
told the women to tell the Apostles and Peter of the resurrection.
In Luke 24:34 we find
that before he appeared to the rest of the disciples, the Lord appeared to Peter.
Of course, I am speculating a bit, but I feel the appearance of was so Peter
could confess his sin and receive the needed forgiveness.
Sin separates our
fellowship with God (Psalm 66:18), but confession restores it (Psalm 32:5, 1
John 1:9).
What now, Peter?
NOW THERE IS A FUTURE -
John 21
Vss. 1-3 - Why did Simon
decide to go fishing? Could it be that
although he was forgiven, he went back to secular work? Could it be that
although he was forgiven, he no longer felt qualified to serve?
The first time Peter was
commissioned, Peter had fished all-night and caught nothing. He then had a
great catch at the Lord's command. He was then told to fear not, for he would
catch men (Luke 5:1-11).
Vss. 4-7 - The second
commissioning of Peter was also preceded by a night of fishing in which nothing
was caught. There was also another supernatural catch of fish.
Vss. 9-12 - There is an
invitation to "Come and dine." It was after this meal that Jesus
talks to Peter. Probably Peter had not yet forgiven himself for the events that
had transpired. Note that as Jesus had
been publicly denier by Peter around a fire, now Peter publicly affirms his
affection for Jesus before the disciples and before a fire.
Vss. 15-17 -Peter had
denied Jesus three times. Peter now reaffirms his love for Jesus 3 times. (You
may want to discuss the meanings of the two Greek words for love used in this
passage.)
After each question
Jesus says to Peter "Feed my lambs", or "Feed my sheep."
Peter had a future for
the Lord.
Even when we fail it
does not mean that we are done being used in service by the Lord.
Perhaps it might not
mean service in the same capacity, or ministry, or town, or on the same level.
However, there is still
work to be done!
What now, Peter?
NOW THERE IS FILLING
Peter was repentant and
forgiven. Peter had a future. But Peter needed help. Jesus had promised the
help that Peter needed. It was the help of the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17, Acts
1:8
The help came at
Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4
For us being filled with
the Holy Spirit is a key ingredient for service. Ephesians 5:18, Galatians
5:16, Galatians 5:22
What now, Peter?
NOW THERE IS
FRUITFULNESS
In Acts 2-3 Peter
preaches two sermons and there are thousands of converts.
Peter ended up being a
key leader in the early church.
This man who once denied
his Lord wrote 1&2 Peter.
Our lives can also be
fruitful for our Lord.
What now, Peter?
NOW THERE IS
FAITHFULNESS - John 21:18-19
One day Peter would show
his faithfulness to Christ. He would also be crucified.
As we read the story of
Peter's ministry after Pentecost we find a man who was faithful to his Lord.
What more can we ask for
ourselves? 1 Corinthians 4:2
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