Jonah, The STUBBORN HEART that says: ‘I am a control freak. I only trust my way of doing things. If God wants to teach me, He’d better be creative in getting my attention, because I don’t give up easily.’
Joseph, the CALM HEART that says: ‘What I’m going through is not pleasant, but God is with me. I will keep calm and carry on because I know God is in control. I will choose to live with full integrity.’
David, the MESSY HEART says: ‘My sacrifice is a broken spirit because I know God doesn’t despise it.’
Today we are learning from Peter, the Eager Heart.
The Eager Heart says: ‘In all I do, I have passion. I speak what I think, I jump when I feel lead to, I rebuke immediately. I am too eager to stay quiet and calculate my actions at times. But, in order to use that passion to glorify God and not me, God allows for my faith to be shaken, to sift out shallow emotions and to build upon solid ground.“
Who is Peter?
Simon is son of John, brother of Andrew, son-in-law to a woman Jesus healed. Simon is the only disciple receiving a new name. Jesus calls him Peter (Cephas). Simon-Peter first enters the scene at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He and his brother, Andrew, are fishermen by trade, chosen to be disciples.
Peter had front and center seat to Jesus’ ministry from early on to the end.
Those three years spent with Jesus, in training and internship, will not just give him an outstanding resume, but will change Peter for a lifetime. Here are some observations from the way Peter learned his lessons:
- Peter is fast to follow “And he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they (Peter and his brother Andrew) left their nets and followed him. ” Matthew 4:18-20
- Peter is fast to jump in the water “… So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29 He shows lots of faith in doing so, but the following verses depict his shortcomings too. The more he walks, the more he starts doubting- in desperation shouting to Jesus for help.
- Peter is fast to ask questions, to understand Jesus’ teaching “But Peter said to him (Jesus), ‘Explain the parable to us.’” Matthew 15:15
- Peter is fast to recognize Christ’s identity. “Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:16
- Peter is fast to rebuke, correcting even Jesus. “And Peter took him (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’” Matthew 16:21-22
- Peter is fast to go to extremes “Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’” John 13:6
- Peter is fast to make promises hard to keep, promises he had not fully counted the cost of. “‘ Peter said to him (Jesus), ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!’ And all the disciples said the same.” Matthew 26:34-35
- Peter is fast asleep when Jesus is asking him to stay and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. “And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?“ Matthew 26:40
- Peter is fast to use his sword. Matthew, Mark, and Luke don’t even mention the name of the one who was so eager to protect Jesus. “And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.” Matthew 26:51 They probably didn’t even feel the need to pinpoint who it was. It’s John who is more specific in helping us put to rest our wild, wild guess of who could that be. “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear…” John 18:10
How did Jesus respond to who Peter was?
Peter was fast in a lot of things, good and bad. Peter was an extrovert. What was in his heart, was on his lips too. What action was in his mind, his feet, and hands went for it without blinking. Peter asked direct questions, almost too blunt at times. Peter could have used more planning and filtering with his words and actions.
Jesus saw Peter’s potential in the midst of his shortcomings. As a result, Jesus gave him even more opportunities than most disciples had. Jesus didn’t thwart his outgoing personality, but saw leadership potential and brought beauty to something rough.
- Opportunities to notice how Jesus did ministry, how He interacted with people. “And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.” Luke 8:51
- Opportunities to see more of Jesus’ glory.”Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” Luke 9:32
- Opportunities to pray along with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26
- Opportunity to grow. After having a beautiful conversation with Jesus, reassuring Jesus that he would never forsake Him, Peter seems to fail. Peter denies Christ. He was fast again. This time fast to forget who he had hung out with for the past three years. Not a moment of glory, but it wasn’t a failing one either. It was an opportunity to help him SLOW DOWN and reevaluate his faith. Two weeks ago, at our home group bible study, a friend from South Africa mentioned something he heard Angus Buchan say at a Mighty Men conference: “If you never doubted, you probably never believed.” Peter had his faith tested, he finally understood what what he believed in.
- Opportunity to carry great responsibilities. “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.” Matthew 16:18-19
Is Peter cured of being too fast?
Peter was always FAST. But Peter is SLOW in going to the tomb. Lost zeal? Shaken up by reality? Pictured a very different outcome? Disappointment? Maturity? What is it? Finally Peter is slowing down to process it all. “So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.” John 20:4
Is he cured for life from being so fast all the time?
… Aaaand he’s back. He’s fast again. After Jesus’ resurrection, he went fishing with other disciples when Jesus pays him and the others a visit. “When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.” John 21:7 His passion is back, and this time he is ready to have a more settled conversation with Jesus (John 21:15-19). He knows better what he is committing himself to.
Practical Applications:
- Being an extrovert is not wrong. But, there’s the risk of speaking without a filter. How are my words, ‘seasoned with salt’?
- Taking immediate action is not wrong. Do I fully understand what I’m committing myself to?
- Having a strong desire to be helpful or reassuring is not wrong. Do I make promises I don’t know if I can keep?
- Being fully engaged in something is not wrong. Do I go to extremes though? Fully involved at work and absent at home? Completely generous with time and effort in the community, yet my family is receiving left-overs of my energy?
- It’s not wrong to think that the unjust needs to be punished. Am I too quick in punishing and slow to give grace?
- Am I fast to get excited about something, but just as quick to quit when it gets hard and disappointing? I need to slow down, but persevere.
- Godly sorrow over my sin is not wrong, but wallowing in self-pity will never help me become like Christ.
* Just like an employee needs vacation from work to be more effective. A fast-paced individual needs to slow down to become more productive.
Things I need to work on:
- Slow down to PROCESS where I’m at- with my words, actions, and commitments.
- Slow down to PRIORITIZE relationships, projects etc.
- Slow down so I can be PASSIONATE again. God can speak in thunder voice, but sometimes He speaks in a still small voice. Because of our fast and loud life, we might be missing out on His teaching.