The Lord Takes Care of His Own (3)

“God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord”  (1 Corinthians 1:9 NLT).

Peter

Let’s follow Peter on his journey through the four steps of following Jesus Christ. 

(Reminder of the four steps: Step one—called by God; Step two—answer the call and begin working in the calling; Step three—mess up; Step four—be forgiven and reinstated in the work God called you for.)  

Peter, whose original name was Simon, was a fisherman.  One day Jesus walked up to the boat and said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 KJV)  Peter and his brother, Andrew left their nets, walked away from them and followed Jesus.  It seems like step one and step two occurred in quick succession.  Peter and Andrew spent the next three and a half years with Jesus, practically 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Jesus began stretching Peter right away.  It took some stretching to lay down the work he had been doing, fishing, and following a man he didn’t know.  Peter became the one who answered when Jesus asked whom men said that He was and finally, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  He had come a long way from the fishing boat.

   Peter left with the Lord the moment he was called—immediate decision and obedience.   He was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He was trusted to make the arrangement for the Last  Supper.  He touched people, and they were healed.  He walked on the water.  He heard the Sermon on the Mount first hand.  He ate the same food as the 5000 and the 4000.  Peter was there for all of it.  He seems to have been walking very well in step two--following Jesus wherever He went.

   At the Last Supper Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”   But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’  Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’” (Luke 22:31-34 NIV)  

   Later that same day, when Jesus was arrested and taken to Caiphas’ house for questioning, Peter followed.   Peter joined others gathered in the courtyard of Caiphas’ house.  And then, at that spot and time, Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus, the one he said he would defend to the death.  The rooster crowed, and it is told that Peter cried bitter tears.   Peter had, indeed, sunk deeply into step three.  He did what he said he would never do—deny that he knew Jesus.  It’s hard to imagine Peter’s feelings for the next three days.   

   Jesus appeared to His disciples the day of His resurrection, but evidently, He did not speak personally with Peter.  Peter may well have been hesitant to approach Jesus because of what He had done.  He was stuck in step three.

   Several days later some of the disciples went fishing.  They hadn’t caught a thing when Jesus called from the shore asking whether they had caught any fish.  They didn’t recognize Him and told Him, “No.”  He told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat.  The catch was miraculous.  They then recognized Jesus and Peter couldn’t wait for the boat to come to shore to see Jesus—he jumped out and swam to shore.  

   When Jesus was with the assembled disciples again, Jesus took Peter aside to talk with him.   John 21:15-17 records the words of their conversation:  “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.’  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.’  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.’”  (NIV)  Peter had denied Jesus three times, and Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him.   I believe that this was Jesus leading Peter from step three into step four—forgiving him and letting him know that Jesus still counted on Peter to complete his task.  Peter knew then that he was forgiven and that Jesus still had His plans for Peter in place.

   Perhaps you have been called by the Lord several times in your life to complete some task for Him, and you have accepted.  Not all tasks are long term.  Some may be as short as giving an encouraging word to someone who needs it.  Perhaps you have made a mistake while serving the Lord.   If so, you can be glad that God still uses that four step process that he used with Abraham, David, and Peter.   As one who has gone through this four step process several times, I can confidently say that God is forgiving . He is faithful to restore you to His good graces, and  faithful to call you again, maybe even today.  Ask Him about it, and listen for His Word or His nudge.    Many times His call to me has been as common place as: “Mike is discouraged.  He needs to hear a word of encouragement.  Talk to him.”