Peter, a man like me?

Peter, the author of 1 Peter, is mentioned about 160 times in scripture. His name is Simon, but Jesus said he would be called Cephas, or Peter, which is a small stone. He says he is an apostle, "one sent" (1 Peter 1:1; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:7-8).

Peter was brought to Jesus by his brother, Andrew (John 1:35-42). His name appears first on all four lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16; Acts 1:13). Peter, James and John enjoyed a special closeness with the Lord. They were there when Jesus raised Jarius’ daughter from the dead, when Jesus was transfigured and when Jesus went through his deeply moving preparations for the betrayal and crucifixion (Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Matthew 17:1-9; 26:36-46).

He is a man of highs and lows. Jesus asked him to cast out into the deep and let down his nets after teaching the multitudes. Peter was skeptical because they had fished all night without a catch, but obedient, and the result was a catch so great that it filled Peter’s and Andrew’s boat and James’ and John’s boat to the point of sinking. Peter felt his own unworthiness and asked the Lord to leave (Luke 5:1-11). He walked to Jesus on the water but sank when he took his eyes off the Lord and doubted (Matthew 14:24-33).

Large numbers of disciples turned away from following Jesus, but Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:66-69). He confessed Jesus as the Christ, Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Yet, later, Peter was told by Jesus to, "Get behind Me, Satan," when he rebuked Jesus for foretelling his death. Peter went from one extreme to another in the washing of feet matter (John 13:1-10). He boasted of his faithfulness when Jesus prophesied the denial (Luke 22:31-34), yet he slept while Jesus prayed (Matthew 26:38-41). He cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant (Matthew 26:50-52). Peter forsook Christ and fled, followed afar off, stayed without in the palace and denied his Lord three times, which caused him to weep bitterly (Matthew 26:56-58, 69-75).

Peter ran with John to the empty tomb (John 20:1-10). He saw Jesus alive (1 Corinthians 15:5). He swam 100 yards to land to be with Jesus and professed his love for him, but did not boast (John 21:1-17). He saw the Lord ascend and took the lead in choosing Matthias to take Judas’ place. He preached the first recorded gospel sermon and healed the lame man at the temple. Luke tells us of his boldness before the Sanhedrin and of his second arrest and the beating he received (Acts 1:4-26; 2:14-40; 3:1-11; 4:1-22; 5:17-42). Through him, God first sent the message of salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 10). He helped defend the Gentiles’ rights in the gospel (Acts 11:1-18; 15:1-11), but showed shameful prejudice in Antioch and Paul had to withstand him to the face (Galatians 2:9-21).

Many of us can identify with Peter. We open our mouths before thinking through all we intend to say. We may overstate our commitment and the strength of our faith. We know what is right, but do not always do it. Most importantly, we hope we can do half as well in boldness for the Lord.