When you think about the apostles, you probably picture great men of God who healed the sick, raised the dead, and worked mighty miracles wherever they went, men who exercised a faith that was unshakable and complete. If that is how you think of them, you are not thinking of the twelve apostles who followed Jesus. The kind of men who became Jesus’ right hand in the beginning were just like you and me when He chose them; they were a truly mixed group. Studying them would help us appreciate all the more God’s love in choosing us to be His followers. We have many of the same weaknesses these so-called “giants of the faith” had, and some of their strengths as well. The great preacher Spurgeon once said, “It is a good thing God chose me before I was born, for He surely would not have done so afterward.” If you think you struggle with doubts, or wrestle with your own disobedience, then you have landed in good company — not only with the Christians sitting around you, but with those who walked with Jesus in His own day.
Even though Peter was quite impulsive, God saw in him the potential of a man who would one day be able to lead His church and be fully settled. This is encouraging, because it points us to the thought that our weaknesses do not disqualify us from being loved by God and used by Him. As it was for Peter, so for us there is hope.
ALWAYS FIRST
In Matthew 14:28-32 we read how Peter walked on the water like his Teacher.
28 “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?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. (Matthew 14:28-32)
Peter had this quality of throwing himself into everything “headfirst,” of leaping before he had looked to see where he would land. By nature he reacted instantly to any kind of emotional stirring. This was a trait with both positive and negative sides. If something good came his way, he would quickly give himself to it; but likewise, if he fell into bad company or a difficult situation, he got caught up in it just as easily — as when he denied his connection with Jesus. This made Peter’s life rather interesting. Sometimes we like him, and other times we want to give him a good shake for the foolish things he does.
Take the case where Peter jumped over the side of the boat to reach Jesus by walking on the water. In that first moment he gave no thought at all to what he was doing — until he saw the waves and the wind, and taking his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. This happens with many Christians too. After an exciting and inspiring sermon they are ready to give themselves to Jesus, but the problem for them is endurance, especially when they see the stormy waves of trials around them.
When the women who came back from the tomb on the day of the resurrection told Peter and the others that Jesus was alive, Peter again quickly leapt to his feet and rushed to the tomb to see for himself what he had heard. Peter always started fast, but he was not a good marathon runner or long-distance runner (Luke 24:12).
12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. (Luke 24:12)
When, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples by the lake, the moment Peter recognized that the man on the shore was Jesus, he again was the first to jump into the water and swim to shore to be with Him (John 21:7).
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. (John 21:7)
Peter is likable; we cannot help but love a man who is so driven to action. Jesus sees the potential in impulsive people. All that needs to be done with them is for their emotions to be rightly directed or channeled, and for them to be helped to learn to think before they leap.
We cannot deny that in Peter’s life there were also bright moments in which he leapt for the right thing, such as his commitment to Christ (John 6:66-69).
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66-69)
Even though, when they realized how hard commitment to Christ is and what it takes to follow Him, many stopped following Him, Peter did not draw back — at least not in this case. People who have strong feelings can be strongly committed, at least until some other strong feeling appears to pull them aside or toward something else. Later Peter denied Jesus when he was utterly frightened and disillusioned. Once, however, after Jesus freed him from his fears by appearing especially for him after the resurrection, Peter became an unshakable leader of the newly founded church of Christ.
Impulsive disciples are very motivated people; they quickly take the initiative for something, even though they have not thought through all the details of what they have started. At Pentecost Peter was magnificent. Perhaps that is why he was the spokesman for the whole group that received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on that day. Either way, he became the first speaker and leader of the new church.
Later Paul rebuked him because he reacted emotionally toward certain Gentiles when a group of Jews came to Antioch. Then Peter acted like a hypocrite — he went along with the opinion of the others, even though he did not share their conviction. That is why Paul rebuked him publicly. By character Peter was emotional. But interestingly, God did not regard this quality of his as something negative. Jesus chose Peter to be the leader of the apostolic group. This shows us that emotions are a good thing — they simply need a little more discipline.
Impulsive Christians are far more preferable than immovable Christians. Someone has said that it is much easier to steer a ship than to keep pushing it forward all the time. Sometimes impulsive people tend to feel guilty and insecure because of their character, and yet these are precisely the people with whom God prefers to work, as long as they are willing to be transformed and to have their strength and impulses brought under control.
A LITTLE FEARFUL
Sometimes impulsive people can be fearful. Sometimes it is precisely this fear of theirs that makes them nervous and restless (Matthew 14:26-27).
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:25-28)
Peter often did crazy things precisely when he was frightened. Fear is a feeling that is part of Peter’s psychological profile. In the first moment, when Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he cried out in fear, thinking Jesus was a ghost. In the next moment, when he realized that this was not a ghost but Jesus Himself, he stepped over the side of the boat and set off toward Jesus. He walked on the water, until of course he began to sink from his fear of the waves. Then Jesus pulled him out. People of Peter’s type can be a little fearful. Often they can also be too anxious. Peter was frightened on the mountain of transfiguration too, when he heard God speak from heaven and say that He was pleased with His only Son. When he heard these words, Peter fell to the ground in fear, and Jesus again had to lift him up (Matthew 17:1-7).
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:1-7)
Sometimes people like Peter act strangely out of fear. There is probably a little of Peter’s character in every one of us. One of the astronauts who went to the Moon was once interviewed about what he felt in the moment he first stepped onto the lunar surface — what exactly did he experience? His answer reveals that he too was a man like Peter: “I remember thinking that the spacecraft in which we had reached the Moon was built by those who had offered the lowest bid in the contractor’s tender.” He was thinking about whether those who built the ship had made it sturdy and stable enough to bring them back to earth alive. His first thoughts were born of fear, before he could even enjoy the beauty and mystery of that place where no man had been before.
PANICKED, HE REACTS INADEQUATELY
When he was rattled, Peter acted strangely. So, for example, in one such case he cut off the ear of Malchus, who was trying to arrest Jesus (Luke 22:49-52).
49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? (Luke 22:49-52)
When circumstances suddenly converge, the “Peters” panic, and their emotions drive them to act without thinking first. Even after the resurrection, when Peter saw Jesus, he was rattled. In his fear he again thought that Jesus was a ghost (Luke 24:36-37).
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. (Luke 24:36-37)
When confusion sets in with this type of person, what they need is information and reassurance. In this case Jesus invited Peter and the rest to touch Him and to see His wounds, so that they would understand that He was the same Jesus, and would no longer be frightened and confused (Luke 24:38-44).
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:38-44)
In spite of all his shortcomings, Jesus still loved this disciple. Thankfully, Jesus sees in us much more than our weaknesses. In fact, it was precisely Peter’s weakness — his tendency to react emotionally — that became his strongest trait, once it was channeled and disciplined. This reminds me of the words of the apostle Paul: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
TRANSFORMING FELLOWSHIP
It is worth noting that when Jesus went somewhere, He often took Peter with Him — at the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37), on the mountain of transfiguration (Mark 9:2), in the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Jesus kept Peter close to Himself. It was precisely such close fellowship with Jesus that Peter needed in order to keep his life in balance. It was this close fellowship that would influence Peter and help him overcome his weaknesses. You cannot be that close to Jesus without it having an effect on you.
When Jesus went to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, He took His closest friends with Him. And it seems that of the three, Peter was closest to Him, because when He came back, He spoke first to him (Matthew 26:36-44).
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. (Matthew 26:36-44)
Jesus spent the hardest time of His life in fellowship with Peter, even though Peter slept through it. Perhaps if we had been in His place we would not have chosen Peter as the first apostle, but Christ’s choosing is not like ours — in Peter, as in us, He sees things we cannot.
Peter represents the kind of disciple Jesus loves — impulsive, yet loved. This encourages us — there is hope for us too. If Jesus could choose Peter, then He can take us as well, despite all our shortcomings!
LEADER OF THE CHURCH
Jesus’ trust in Peter is seen in Luke 22:31-32:
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Here Jesus reveals Satan’s desire to sift Peter like wheat — and yet Jesus prayed for him, that when it was all over, even after Peter failed, he would “strengthen his brothers.” This shows that Jesus was confident that even after his denial of Him, Peter would once again recover his commitment to Him.
Impulsive does not mean stupid. Peter may act rashly out of fear, but Jesus knows that Peter is not shallow or foolish. Peter would be a “rock.” Jesus’ final charge to him we find in John 21:15-17:
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
Three times Jesus asks Peter whether he loves Him. Peter is hurt by this repeated questioning, but this is precisely what he needs in order to be freed from his own pain — after all, he had denied Jesus three times, and that had happened only about ten days before. After each affirmation of his love, Jesus charges him: “Feed my sheep!” “Feed my lambs!” In other words: “Lead My flock!” At last Jesus’ trust in Peter is fully revealed. It is Peter whom the Lord authorizes to be the shepherd of His church. It is astonishing that this very emotional man, who so often reacted inadequately in hard moments, is Christ’s choice of leader! It is true that Peter needed years spent with Jesus in order to discipline his emotional nature, but in the end he became the leader of the church. This love and leading of Jesus toward this impulsive apostle gives hope to all of us who tend to be led by emotions or situations and to make decisions on the spur of the moment. Keep on loving Christ and having fellowship with Him, and when you fail, come back again. Jesus loves you more than you can imagine!
HOW CAN WE BE HELD STEADY?
Jesus’ last words to Peter in this passage are “You follow me!” This was precisely the way in which his nature would be reined in for the future as well. By following Christ, his very weakness would be turned into a passion to do God’s work and to walk on the right path. This is the secret that we too must know as followers of Christ.
Peter is the kind of person one can easily identify with, or see oneself in. Like him, we too move far too quickly from hot to cold in our walk with God. Often we are frightened by various things in our lives. And yet God loves us deeply. As with Peter, our Lord keeps working with us as well. Peter became a great disciple; therefore, with God’s help, we too can become top students for the kingdom of God!