Matthew 14 - Did Peter Get A Bad Rap?
Verses of the Day
"Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” - Matthew 14:28-31
Commentary
I think a lot of the time Peter gets a "bad rap". He gets a bad rap for denying Jesus, and yet shortly after his denial, we see that all the other disciples denied Jesus as well. Today Peter is the only one who actually dares to step out of the boat. Sure, he takes his eyes off Jesus, but I don't see any of the other disciples getting out of the boat.
So, I can only assume that the Lord gave Peter to be an example for us. Peter helps us who take our eyes off a Jesus and look instead at the wind and the waves. Peter helps us when we fail to defend Jesus if it is inconvenient, or it will cost something. Fortunately the story of Peter doesn't stop in the gospels.
In Acts 3 and 4, after he was reinstated by Jesus in John 21, we see Peter going up to the temple with John at the time of prayer. It is Peter who looks at the lame beggar and says,
“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. Acts 3:6-7
Next, when all the people come to see what happened near the temple, Peter doesn't shrink away in fear but proclaims the gospel boldly.
Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:17-19
What happens when Peter's life is on line and he is confronted by the officials. Let's turn to chapter 4.
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. Acts 4:1-4
Peter is being persecuted but he didn't back down with his life on the line. The next day they brought together all the high priests and other officials to have a little chat with Peter and John. But it is Peter who speaks up on their behalf. Here is what he says when they ask him by what name is he doing these things.
“By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:8-10
This isn't the same Peter who denied Jesus three times before he heard the cock crow, and then walked away his head held in shame. This Peter, who was reinstated by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, had quite an impact on these leaders.
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13
Finally, the officials called Peter and John and commanded and threatened them not to preach in the name of Jesus. What was their response?
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20
It would be easy to be hard on Peter if we just read the gospels, but when we turn to the Book of Acts, we see the leader of the church acting boldly filled by the Holy Spirit.
Application for Life
When have you felt like Peter?
Did you ever ask the question, "How could God use me after what I have done?"
May the story of Peter's transformation from being the one who denied Jesus three times, to the one who proclaimed Jesus boldly to the Jewish leaders encourage you today.
Peter may have gotten a bad rap, but he will go down as one of the greatest Christian leaders of all time.
Prayer of the Day
"Jesus give us the courage of Peter, who put his failures behind him and boldly stood up for you with his life on the line. May we be able to say like Peter, we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard. Amen."
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