The
Relationship between Jesus and Peter is a beautiful picture of the
transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ in the life of one who would answer
the call to follow Him. A brief overview of a few key events in this
relationship is sure to give insight into the transformation of Peter’s life
and the potential of a similar transformation that is available to all who
would respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him with such water-walking faith. This
transformation highlights Peter’s character flaws in a way that provides
relationship lessons for any reader who desires to sharpen his character.
The Call to Follow
“It was common in the East to give a new name to
denote a change of character, or to indicate a man's position among men.”[1] This is
exactly what happened to Peter during his call to follow Jesus. “And he
brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John.
You will be called Cephas’
(which, when translated, is Peter).” (Jn 1:42) The
account of the call was short yet insightful. Peter in the Greek being petros
means rock or stone. Jesus sees Peter for who he can become and gives him a
name to describe the character and mission that he will grow into when his new
relationship as a follower of Jesus reaches maturity. He will grow to be rock solid
in character and his confession will be the rock on which the Church will
stand.
Peter’s Confession of Christ
The gospel of Matthew chapter sixteen records Peter’s confession
of Christ. Peter explicitly states that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah.
Jesus in turn establishes that upon Peter’s confession the Church would be
erected and that Peter was to be foundational in the leading of this
construction. Soon after this pertinent revelation Jesus informs his disciples
of his imminent death. Peter, not fully understanding the prophetic plan of
God, exercises his what Hunt describes as, “wolf”[2] like
tendencies and chastises Jesus. Jesus in an effort to build Peter abruptly
responds with words that pierce, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a
stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely
human concerns.” (V23) The Master is building His disciple so he can one day
live up to his new name. At this time, Peter is still more concerned with self
rather than service. His character is being sharpened like a knife against a
stone, one stroke at a time.
Peter’s Denial of Christ
Experiencing the Transfiguration and exercising
water-walking faith were but two more character-building exercises for Peter.
His relationship with Jesus is maturing; yet there is still more work to be
done to prepare him to lead the launching of the Church in a world that is
hostile to the Gospel and the bearers of the Good News. The denial and the
events surrounding it would prove to be crucial in the molding of Peter’s
character and the maturation of his followership of Christ. It is a hallmark
event in his relationship with Jesus.
Surely the prediction of the denial by Jesus had to be a
blow in the gut to Peter who prided himself on being a faithful and loyal
disciple. Jesus’ selection of words as He talked with Peter expressed His love
and concern for Peter. Even His time of prayer in the Garden indicated the
heavenly bond between the two. A careful study of each of these key events discussed
will show Jesus praying just before each event happened. It is likely the
Savior was praying for the shaping of Peter’s character. Prayer is definitely
what Peter needed. The final sentence in Luke’s account of this event sums up
this need, “And
he went outside and wept bitterly.” (22:62) Any progress Peter had made up to
this point in his character-building journey appears to have been stymied.
However, his broken heart is exactly what God used as another step in preparing
him to live up to his new name. The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are
crushed in spirit.” (34:18)
The Restoration of Peter
After the resurrection, Jesus restores Peter giving him
what he needs to grow into his new name. In his conversation on the shore with
Peter, Pain writes, “Jesus is gently forcing a threefold declaration of his love
that mirrors his threefold denial.”[3]
Peter’s response to Jesus’ forgiveness clearly shows that his maturation process
has advanced greatly. “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
(Jn 21:17) In this, Peter confesses complete devotion to His living LORD and
acknowledges His Divinity. He has moved from reliance on self to His Savior.
Conclusion
I at times suffer from the Peter syndrome. I
have been known to put my foot in my mouth and to rely on my own strength.
Obviously in these Peter like moments I face self-inflicted pain. Lane and
Tripp write, “Some of our deepest and most painful hurts have been in
relationships.”[4]
This quick glance inside the life of Peter and His relationship with Jesus
validate this statement. Peter experienced highs and lows in his journey with
Jesus. It took both the mountaintop experiences as well as the valleys to chip
away at his character defects and to build him into the man God made him to
become. This is true about us as well. We must embrace both the peace and the
pain that come from relationships. Without either of them we fall short of
God’s perfect plan for our lives. To God be the glory!
[2] June Hunt, Conflict Resolution Solving Your People
Problems, (Torrance, CA: Rose Publishing, 2013), 28.
[3] Paine, Chris.
"Jesus' Life-Changing Relationship with Simon Peter by Chris Pain." www.jubilee-centre.org,
2017.
[4] Tim Lane and Paul
Tripp, Relationships A Mess Worth Making,
(Glenside, PA: New Growth Press, 2008), 6.
