Saturday Study
Peter (11-12-16)
- Who is Peter?
- Peter was originally named Simon.
- Simon was originally from Bethsaida (John 1:44) and lived in Capernaum (Mark 1:29).
- He was married (1 Corinthians 9:5)
- He ran a fishing business with James and John (Luke 5:10).
- Simon met Jesus through his brother, Andrew.
- Upon meeting Simon, Jesus gave him a new name: Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek), which means “rock” (John 1:40-42).
- Later, Jesus officially called Peter to follow Him, producing a miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-7). Immediately following this, Peter left everything behind to follow the Lord (
Matthew 10:11
11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.
(ESV)
).
- For the next three years, Peter lived as a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
- Being a natural-born leader, Peter became the unofficial spokesman for the Twelve (Matthew 15:15, 18:21, 19:27; Mark 11:21; Luke 8:45, 12:41; John 6:68, 13:6-9, 36).
- It was Peter who first confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (
Matthew 16:16
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
(ESV)
).
- Peter was part of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, along with James and John.
- Only those three were present when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain (Matthew 17:1-2).
- Peter and John were given the special task of preparing the final Passover meal (Luke 22:8).
- Peter was enthusiastic, faithful, strong-willed, impulsive, and, at times, brash.
- It was Peter who left the boat to walk on the water to Jesus (Matthew 14:28-29).
- It was Peter who took Jesus aside to rebuke Him for speaking of His death (Matthew 16:22).
- It was Peter who drew his sword and attacked the servant of the high priest in the garden of Gethsemane (John 18:10).
- It was Peter who boasted that he would never forsake the Lord, even if everyone else did (Matthew 26:33-35)
- It was Peter who later denied three times that he even knew the Lord (
Matthew 16:69-74
28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
(ESV)
).
- Jesus made a special point of forgiving and restoring Peter and re-commissioning him as an apostle (John 21:6-7, 15-17).
- Through all of Peter’s ups and downs, the Lord Jesus remained his loving Lord and faithful Guide. Jesus told Peter that he would be instrumental in establishing Jesus’ Church (Matthew 16:18-19).
- At Pentecost, Peter was the main preacher to the crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 2:14ff), and the New Testament Church began with an influx of about 3,000 new believers that were saved that day (
Matthew 16:41
28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
(ESV)
).
- Later, Peter healed a lame beggar (Acts 3:2-8) and preached boldly before the high ranking Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-22).
- Even imprisonment, beatings, and threats could not dampen Peter’s resolve to preach the risen Christ (Acts 5).
- Peter struggled in the area of his bias for the Jews and his favoritism to those he was with at the time. Thankfully he showed growth and repentance upon brotherly rebuke and correction. (Acts 15:7-11; Galatians 2:11-14).
- Later in life, Peter spent time with John Mark (1 Peter 5:13), who with some of Peter’s insights wrote the gospel of Mark.
- Peter wrote 1 and 2 Peter, likely between A.D. 60 and 68.
- The prophecy of Christ that Peter would die a martyr’s death (John 21:18-19) came true, as he was killed for his faith.
- Peter’s Faith and Struggles
Matthew 14:25-33
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
(ESV)
In our
Matthew 14
The Death of John the Baptist
14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
(ESV)
text on Monday, we read the account of Jesus walking on water. Peter asks Jesus to tell him to come to Him on the water. Jesus did, so Peter climbed over the side and began to walk on the water towards Jesus.
Now I want you to realize that the storm and the wind are still raging, however Peter’s faith in Jesus gives him a confidence to trust Him to do the unthinkable.
Consider for a moment with me the disciples who stayed in the boat.
What causes them to stay in the boat and not follow Peter out onto the water?
ANSWER: To them the boat was safer. They trusted the craftsmanship of the boat more than the power of Jesus. Are you trusting more in your man-made boats than in Jesus?
The question Is this: What is the boat in your life? What is the thing you rely on to weather life’s storms?
For you it might be a relationship that you look to for your identity, personal significance, sense of security, purpose for living, and happiness.
It might be your job or money that you look to for your identity, personal significance, sense of security, purpose for living, and happiness.
It might be your addiction (internet, drugs, eating, TV) that you look to for your identity, personal significance, sense of security, purpose for living, and happiness.
Essentially these things become the functional boat into which you put your trust.
I know many “Christians” who think their trust in is Jesus, however when the storms of life rage it reveals their trust is in a functional savior and not in the one true Savior.
Your “boat” is something that has become more fundamental than God in your life for your identity, personal significance, sense of security, purpose for living, and joy.
Instead, we must trust in Jesus. Not ourselves, not our functional saviors or “boats”– Jesus!
Matthew 14:29-31
29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
(ESV)
says, “So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
Peter, with the power of Jesus at work, was able to successfully walk on the water.
–This is incredible!
<>In Christ we can and will do things we could never do on our own<>
But the reality is, the storms still rage. This world is still fallen and in sin. The good news is that God is still working out His plan of redemption while we testify of the Gospel and make disciples.
The temptations constantly before us are the plentiful distractions of this world vying for our focus.
The problem is when we put our focus on temporary things àwe take our eyes off of Jesus.
I ask you plainly today: Where is your focus?
When the storms come, do you focus on Jesus, or do you put your focus on the storms?
Peter is modeling this for us: It’s a focus thing… A forward thing!
When he focused on the problem (the storm) he forgot to stay focused on the solution: Jesus!
When we focus on the temporary troubles of today, we forget that we have a God that is with us and is ultimately the One who holds all things in His hands… even the storms.
When Peter stepped out of the boat, the storm was already raging. In that moment, his faith and focus was on Christ, who was his power and hope.
This shows us that: On our own, we will not endure the race before us. When we will rely on our own power (which constantly changes) or our circumstances (which constantly change) we will fail. We must instead place our hope and trust in our God who remains constant despite our circumstances.
One of my favorite passages in the New Testament helps us with this. I’ll highlight a little from the NLT.
Hebrews 12:1
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
(ESV)
b …And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us
Hebrews 12:2
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
(ESV)
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.
I love the words to the old hymn that go like this:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Review
Matthew 26:30-75
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 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. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
(ESV)
.
Peter’s struggles were exponentially put on display the night Jesus was arrested. While the Jewish trials were taking place, Peter found his way to the house of the high priest and was waiting with others outside in the courtyard.
They were awaiting the verdict as you or I would gather with others around a TV.
–I can only imagine the conversation taking place about this historical event. Imagine their speculation of what was going on and what might happen to Jesus.
What a prime moment for Peter to defend his friend. But he didn’t. He decided to save his own hide instead.
Read again
Matthew 26:69-75
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
(ESV)
.
There is no greater betrayal than to be so very close to someone and then not acknowledge that you even know them. Many of you know what it is like to experience great betrayal. We can be confident that Jesus sympathizes with us when we go through this, because He too experienced deep betrayal by His closest friends.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. –
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
(ESV)
While many of us can relate to Jesus and the pain we feel when betrayed by someone we love, some of you may be feeling like you relate more to Peter as the betrayer.
Thank God for grace, forgiveness, and restoration. Thank God that He pursues us when we don’t deserve it. He paid the high price for our betrayal against the Holy God. He restores us to walk in the newness of life and to live for Him, just like He did for Peter.
Read
John 21:7-25
7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 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. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus and the Beloved Apostle
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
(ESV)
Jesus sought out Peter and led him through his restoration. Three times Peter confirmed his love for Jesus. Jesus commissions Peter to feed his sheep. And oh, did Peter go on to preach! The man that was once timid and constantly messing up was redeemed and empowered to be a leader in the early church and someone God would work through to do mighty things.
We must remember that although we mess up greatly at times, God is able to restore and sanctify us in mighty ways.
By His grace and for His glory,
Pastor Joshua Kirstine
Olive Drive Church