Peter: The Unlikely Disciple
Last Words
November 26, 2023 • Jonathan Kollmann
When Peter wrote his second letter to the early church from a prison near the Roman Forum, he knew that Nero was going to have him executed. Knowing these would be his final words to the church, Peter packed the letter full of passionate words of encouragement and of warning. He encouraged them to remember all the promises of Jesus. He exhorted them to “make every effort” to live in obedience to Jesus’ commands, to love others as He loved, and to grow in holiness. Living in this manner would be a testimony to Whom they belonged and worshiped, and an assurance of their eternal destiny. He closed his letter with the declaration for them to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ—beneficial words for us today.
Suffering
November 19, 2023 • Jon Ferguson
In the Gospels, we saw that Peter wanted the kingdom of God to come immediately and without human suffering. Now in his first epistle, Peter writes about our heavenly hope—the kingdom of God which will come after the saints’ suffering for their faith. He proclaims that the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary becomes the pattern for Christian living and service in this life. Suffering is not represented as an exception, but as the rule for true believers. While Peter encourages the church to live a holy life, different from the world, he also comforts those who are suffering by reassuring them of their identity and purpose. Peter exhorted his readers to turn to one another in love, and to strengthen one another.
Set Apart
November 12, 2023 • Jonathan Kollmann
Peter wrote this letter to help the church stand firm in the grace of God, particularly in the face of suffering. He reminds them of their identity: they are God’s chosen people, so they are like temporary foreign residents living outside of their true homeland. Peter was calling them to live a holy life. Christ is distinct, separate, out of the ordinary, and He calls His followers to be like Him. The Biblical word “holy” describes the contemporary word “different”. A holy person is not an odd person, but a different person. Being holy means that we live differently. It means that we love differently, and this love displays holiness. Love is the litmus test for Christians.
Signs, Wonders, and Miracles
November 5, 2023 • Jon Ferguson
At the end of the Gospels, we find Peter forgiven and restored, but the evidence of his transformation becomes quite apparent in the Book of Acts through Peter’s preaching and practice. Starting at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit worked through Peter to do amazing things—doing things that he had only seen Jesus do and experience other signs and wonders. The early church witnesses Peter’s transformation and leans on his leadership. We also see a man who, while devoted to Jesus, was still clearly capable of making poor decisions.
Denied and Reinstated
October 29, 2023 • Jonathan Kollmann
Like Peter, we have all denied Jesus by our thoughts, words, deeds and attitudes; by what we have done and by what we should have done but didn’t. At times, we have all lived in ways that are inconsistent with the faith we proclaim and the relationship with Jesus we treasure. We’ve hurt and wounded others, failing to serve them. We’ve given in to fear or worry or idolatry or pride. There have been moments when our witness or example was needed, but we remained silent and did nothing. But from the story of Peter and his denial of Jesus, we also know that Jesus forgives us. Jesus is the Lord of the second chance. If the disciple, who denied even knowing Jesus, could become the rock on which the church was built, there is hope for us too.
Transfiguration
October 22, 2023 • Jon Ferguson
Jesus invites three of His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—to go up with Him up a high mountain to pray. Suddenly His face and clothing become dazzling white, and the great prophets Elijah and Moses appear beside him. While this was an amazing encounter, the trouble with mountaintop experiences is that they are a very small part of life in this broken and sinful world. These moments are generally fleeting and far between with most of life spent in the valleys. Discipleship means following Christ where He leads. So we too come down the mountain, with God’s glory at our backs, the cross ahead of us, and Jesus beckoning us forward, teaching us what it means to follow Him.
Peter's Declarations
October 15, 2023 • Jonathan Kollmann
Near the end of their three years together, Jesus asked His men, “Who do people say that I am?” After they shared the crowd’s views, Jesus asked His disciples the same question. Peter quickly declared that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus affirms Peter’s correct response and states that He will build His church upon the rock (Peter) and nothing will destroy it. But shortly after that declaration, Peter encourages Jesus to pursue the crown without the cross. Jesus rebukes Peter with strong words, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Jesus then speaks to the disciples about what will be expected of them, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Me.” Truths with which we need to come to terms.
Walking with Jesus in the Storm
October 8, 2023 • Jon Ferguson
When the disciples witness Jesus walking on water in the midst of the storm, it is Peter who shouts, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” Jesus affirms his request with one simple word, “Come.” We learn several things from Peter’s stormy encounter with Jesus. Peter didn’t impulsively and recklessly jump out of the boat. Likewise, before we act, we should first ask God about His will. Then we are to obey Jesus when He calls, even when it seems impossible. With every step of obedience, we cannot lose sight of Jesus. We cannot allow fear to distract us. And when we stumble, we need to remember that God will rescue us.
The Call of Simon the Fisherman
October 1, 2023 • Jonathan Kollmann
Simon made his living netting fish in Lake Galilee to sell in the market where he lived. When his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus, Jesus gave Simon a significant nickname. It’s the one by which we know him today, the “Rock,” promising stability and strength. Jesus later climbed into Peter’s fishing boat to preach. Afterward, He told Peter to set out his nets, which Peter reluctantly, but obediently did. When deciding to fish that day, Peter had no idea what hung in the balance of his decision to go fishing with Jesus. The moment Peter’s simple act of faith intersected with Jesus’ faithfulness, everything changed. Just as Jesus reveals and represents God, Simon Peter represents all who seek to follow Jesus.