St. Peter’s List: A Look at the Author

St. Peter’s List: A Look at the Author.

“Because you have been given all these blessings, it’s time now for you to apply yourself with diligence to those gifts of grace;  make every effort with all zeal to take your basic faith and develop moral excellence; and to that virtue add an intimate knowledge of God; and to your personal knowledge and understanding add an inner strength; and then in exercising that self-control develop patient endurance; to that steadfastness supply a fervent reverence; and to that piety add brotherly/sisterly affection; and then when exercising your mutual kindness add the most important quality in your spiritual transformation… unconditional love.” (2 Peter 1:5).

A Fisherman-Wordsmith. Father, forgive Peter. Peter was the leader of the Twelve, and probably the closest friend to Jesus during their years together. He was brash, impulsive, impetuous, and yet was faithful to Jesus throughout their ministry. He was the first disciple to declare that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, the disciples’ first confession of faith in Jesus. Peter was given the amazing privilege of being present at the Transfiguration. He once declared that he would never desert Jesus, and would rather die than abandon Him. And yet, there he was sleeping while Jesus suffered in the Garden. He couldn’t seem to do anything right that fateful night. With good intentions he took up a sword at Jesus’ arrest, and was quickly rebuked by Him. He promised to never deny Jesus, and he soon broke that promise by denying Him three times. He first denied knowing Jesus; then he denied being one of His followers; then he denied even knowing what those accusers were even talking about. After these denials, Peter went off by himself and wept bitterly in shame, humiliation and guilt. At this point, Peter was a big disappointment, to himself and to Jesus. Undoubtedly, Jesus on the Cross was thinking… Father, forgive Peter, for he doesn’t know what he is doing. The great St. Peter, close confidante of Jesus, the rock who yet stumbled in betrayal, the redeemed and undisputed leader of the early Jesus movement in Jerusalem, and the first apostle to preach to the Gentiles… From his perch in Rome soon before 65 AD, he wrote his two letters to the scattered Christ-followers around Asia Minor, addressing both Gentiles and Jewish believers. Peter and his scribe Silvanus were creative wordsmiths in the way they composed his two letters, devising 119 unique vocabulary words that are found nowhere else in the New Testament! Evidently, if Peter couldn’t find just the right word to express himself, he made one up! In his own unique way, Peter wanted to encourage these new believers in their trials and the persecution that was beginning to threaten them from the Roman empire. He urgently yearned to infuse hope into them in the midst of their difficulties, not only the hope of their eventual, final salvation, but also in their daily lives full of difficulty. Their hope was not only in their future glory with Jesus, but also in God’s promises to provide what was needed in trying circumstances as they matured in the Faith.

The Monumental Moments for Peter were Triggered by Christ’s Questions: 

QUESTION #1. “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi with His disciples, He asked them, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.‘ ‘But what about you?’ He asked them. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God!’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by books or teachers. My Father in heaven, God Himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And I tell you that you are Peter (‘petros’ = a small, throwable rock or stone), and on this rock (‘petra’ = a massive cliff, a site of bedrock, or an immovable rock formation) I will build my church, and the Gates of Hades will not overcome it…’” (Matthew 16:13-18).

Peter Passed the First Test. If there is one of the 307 questions that Jesus asked that needs to be taken personally, it’s this one. His question isn’t just important, it’s urgent. Our need to live into that question is our life mission. In many ways, the life we choose to live is our answer to that question. What is the true identity of Christ? After all is said and done, what do we believe regarding Jesus? Really now, just who is Jesus? He already knows what we’re thinking, of course. Doubts are okay, a part of being human through the ups and downs of life. Heaven knows Peter himself had some misgivings and failures in the midst of his heroically faithful life. But there is no more serious a matter before us… Are we convinced He is not a shrewd con man, a miracle-working magician, a devious liar, a misguided teacher of Scripture, perhaps even someone who is mentally unstable? Or is He the Truth, God’s sacred Answer to the riddle of life? Well, Peter sure seemed certain in his answer… his first confession of Jesus, the first confession of Christ amongst all the disciples. Peter’s confession has gone down in history as the finest summary of Christ’s identity in Scripture: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” Peter blurts out his belief in the truth that Jesus isn’t merely the long-awaited, much-prophesied Messiah. Peter was convinced that the other half of his confession is just as important, that Jesus is divine and of one being with Yahweh Himself! Jesus, the God-man, 100% human and 100% God. Jesus, the only Being in the history of the universe who is somehow 200%.

An Early Spokesman. Peter went out on a limb and revealed Christ’s true identity, so Jesus went right ahead and returned the favor and addressed Peter in his full name: Simon, son of Jonah. Was Peter speaking for the disciples here, representing what they all believed, or was Peter doing what he did so often and spoke for himself? We need to remember that Jesus addressed that vital question to all the disciples, not just Peter. It appears that Peter presumed all the other disciples believed as he did, and in fact it’s interesting that none of the other disciples corrected or challenged Peter’s confession. So it seems there’s a good chance that Peter’s words were in truth a reflection of the group’s faith in Jesus.

Jesus’ Response to Peter’s Confession. In must have been words full of joy, Jesus spoke a word of blessing over Peter, exclaiming that he couldn’t have arrived at this conclusion by sheer logic or human reason. It’s a mystery. Peter’s confession, says Jesus, could only have been inspired by His Father in heaven. The revelation that Jesus is a divine Messiah has been a secret kept hidden until the fullness of time.

QUESTION #2. “Then Jesus returned and found the disciples asleep again. He said, ‘Are you still sleeping? Couldn’t you watch with me even for one hour? Watch and pray, so that you don’t fall into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38).

Still Asleep? Peter, along with James and John, were asked by Jesus to accompany Him to the Garden to pray. They were the inner circle of Christ, and Jesus thought He could count on them since they were the only disciples to experience the miracle of the Transfiguration. They had been through a lot together, so He expected their full support. The three disciples fell asleep at their post while Jesus agonized in prayer with the Father. After finding all three disciples asleep each time He sought them out for encouragement, Jesus singled out Peter for rebuke, and then told him to stay alert so he wouldn’t be tempted beyond what he was able. For even when the human spirit is eager and willing to do the right thing, the human body can betray it. Even if someone is well-intentioned, sometimes the body makes it difficult to follow through. Jesus shows remarkable patience with His best buddies, even if they disappointed Him at this critical time. Of course, Jesus is living into Psalm 103:14, “For the Lord knows our frame; He remembers that we are made of dust. He realizes how weak we are; He is mindful that we were all created from the dust of the earth.”

“Simon, Simon, listen to me! Satan, the Adversary, demanded to shake you all violently as one does wheat, and have you people for himself causing you to fail! But I have pleaded in prayer for you in particular, Simon, that your trust in me might not fail. And you, once you have repented and turned back to me again, strengthen your brothers! (Luke 22:32).

Satan Prowls for Peter. Just before that word of caution, Jesus had told Peter personally that Satan had asked in particular for Peter’s soul, “that he may sift you as wheat.” Jesus then tenderly said that He would pray for Peter, that his faith would not fail. It is then that Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny Him three times. (Luke22:31-34). It’s clear that there was a lot of spiritual warfare over Peter, the future leader of the new Christian church in Jerusalem. Not only did Jesus predict his denials, but He also said that Peter would return to Jesus and would strengthen the brothers. Could it be that Peter was simply not prayed up enough after his nap in the Garden, and that he was unprepared for Satan’s assault in the courtyard? On the other hand, were it not for Jesus’ prayers of protection over Peter, we may have never heard from Peter again.

Good Intentions, Poor Follow-Through. Peter had made many strong statements about his belief in and support of Jesus earlier: “Lord, I am ready to go with you, both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33); “I will lay down my life for your sake.” (John 13:37); “Even if everyone else falls away, I will not.” (Mark 14:29); “Even if all are made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.” (Matt. 26:33); “Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you.” (Matt. 26:35). Peter meant well, and surely meant every word, but he overestimated his ability to remain true to Jesus. His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. Perhaps he talked himself into thinking he had the ability within himself to make his promises come true. It wasn’t long before he made all those promises come true at the end of his life.

QUESTION #3. “Simon Peter, do you love me?” (John 21:15-19).

Triggering the Memory. “There on the beach Jesus had breakfast ready (John 21:1-14). It would be the last meal they would ever share together, here on earth. They didn’t know that yet, but it would be the Last Breakfast. There had been another encounter across a charcoal fire, in Caiaphas’ courtyard when Peter denied Jesus, not once but three times before the cock crowed. And now, with the smell of charcoal all around him, he stands in his guilt and shame across a charcoal fire on the beach with Jesus. And the significance of this breakfast for Peter was probably the most poignant moment in Peter’s life and ministry. Because that breakfast of grilled fish and bread was laid out across the charcoal fire.”  (from a sermon by Rev. Billy Strayhorn).

Shame. Peter felt bitter shame to the core of his soul. He denied he ever knew Someone who was his best friend, someone who trusted him for years. After his three denials, Matthew reports that “he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matt. 26:75). Peter wept tears of sorrow and remorse, of profound guilt. The following beach scene after Jesus’ resurrection should be seen in the context of Peter’s deep shame and how Jesus led him to the inner healing he needed so badly.

The Restoration. “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love (“agape”) me more than these others?’ Peter said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love (“phileo”) you like a loyal friend.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Jesus said to Peter a second time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love (“agape”) me?’ Peter said again to Jesus, ‘Yes Lord; You know that I love (“phileo”) you like a loyal friend and brother.’ Jesus said to Peter, ‘Tend my sheep.’ Jesus said to Peter the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love (“phileo”) me?’ Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him three times, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter said a third time, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you like a close friend and brother.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:15-19).

Unfinished Business. After their fellowship time at the breakfast cookout, Jesus was very intentional about repairing the damage of Peter’s denials. Jesus wonderfully, with insight and wisdom, gave Peter three times to confirm Peter’s love for Him. Did Jesus astutely plan on speaking with Peter with the smoke of the charcoal fire in the air around them? If smell is our strongest sense and what brings our memories to the surface, was the charcoal fire at the beach helpful to bring about Peter’s redemption, reminding Peter of how he needs his relationship with Jesus to be restored? Three times to profess his love, three times to be assured of Jesus’ forgiveness, three times to be restored, not only in Jesus’ eyes, but also in the eyes of Peter himself. Jesus gave Peter the chance to redeem himself through these three questions. Jesus removed the cloud of Peter’s denials, and in the process put the nails in the coffin of Peter’s shame. Jesus helped Peter to silence the crowing of the rooster that surely was blaring in his spirit. Jesus proceeded to display confidence in Peter, revealing that he believed in Peter enough to ask him to be the shepherd of the Christian community soon to develop in Jesus’ absence. Peter said Yes to Jesus… Yes, Jesus, I do love you; yes, Jesus, I will feed your sheep and lead your people. Yes, Jesus, I commit myself to serving you for the rest of my days. This is a profound story of Peter’s redemption.

Love. This fascinating conversation between Jesus and Peter involved two words for love… agape love and phileo love. Jesus asked Peter twice if he loved Him with a deep, unconditional and devoted love (agape). Both times Peter responded with a phileo love, which means a personal affection like for a close friend or brother. The third time Jesus recognized that Peter at this point is not ready for agape love, but instead perfectly willing to love Jesus with phileo love. Jesus knows though, that Peter would faithfully grow into a deep agape love for Him to the point of sacrificing his very life for Him.

Peter is a solid representative of a human being, with his fears, his impetuous behavior, and his weak moments as well as his courage and redemptive qualities. The Bible doesn’t shy from exposing all of this regarding its historical characters. Peter’s denials are in all four gospels, right out there for all the world to see. Each of us could easily have done the very same thing as Peter in the high priest’s courtyard. If we have, it’s important to remember that Jesus is the God of forgiveness. Jesus is the shame-breaker. Pray that we can learn from Peter and develop long memories that will help us to scorn shame and revel in Jesus’ forgiveness on our road to redemption.

Full Disclosure Regarding Agape vs. Phileo Love: There are many New Testament scholars who believe that, like the original Greek term, agape love and phileos love can overlap in meaning and are relatively synonymous, especially in the Gospel of John. Phileos, brotherly love, is sometimes called agape’s “fraternal twin.” This makes sense to a certain degree, since there could be a fine line between a deep, affectionate brotherly/sisterly love and a sacrificial, unconditional love. At least we can easily say that we can have both kinds of love for the same person. It’s not a stretch to say that the agape and phileos loves are bosom buddies, since Jesus said the Father loves us with a phileos love (John 16:7). Jesus also said that the Father loves Him with a phileos love (John 5:20), and that He loved his best friend Lazarus with a phileos love (John 11:3), not an agape love.  But for the most part, agape seems clearly to be distinctive from the other kinds of love in Scripture. Agape remains divine love that is unconditional, sacrificial, active, universal and a total gift from the heart of God. The fact remains, agape love is the highest form of love that God gives to us and that is intended for others through us. Sometimes the Greek language is not as perfectly clear as we would like it to be, not as precise. The original Greek term of agape was much messier, and included all the kinds of love combined in the term. Sometimes that imprecise history to Greek terms is carried forward, and we’ll just have to continue to trust that we are receiving what God wants for us from the inspired Scripture.