Hello all, How are you in Christ today? God is good all the time, all the time God is good.
Peter, Petros (word for rock or stone) was an example of how our life often times is in following Jesus Christ.
Peter was very outspoken about Jesus, then he would falter, then become strong again. Let's look at Peter and see if your life parallels his somewhat.
Simon Bar-Jona was renamed greek Petros (Aramaic Kefa) which means stone or rock. Peter was very impulsive and outspoken. When Jesus came walking on the water, the disciples saw him and were afraid. Jesus said "Take courage! It is I, don't be afraid! Then Peter speaks up and says LORD tell me to come to you on the water. Peter walked on water when his eyes were on Jesus, when refocused on wind and water he sank. Jesus said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt"? The lesson here, keep your eyes focused on the Christ.
Then Peter is bold, Matthew 16 Jesus asked who do people say I am and Peter spoke up You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Peter is bold here.
There is lots of interaction with the disciples and Jesus, but let's jump to Matthew 26 starting at verse 31 when Jesus predicts his arrest and Peter's denial of Christ. Verse 35 Peter says "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you". This is when Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows he would deny him 3 times. Peter does not think so, but it does happen and after the third denial, the rooster crowed, and Peter wept bitterly.
How oft have we been here where we stand firm, then weakness and possibly deny being a Christian? Just like Peter.
In John 21 starting at verse 15 Jesus speaks to Peter asking him 3 times if he (Peter) loved him (Jesus). Peter was hurt that Jesus asked him 3 times, but what did Jesus tell him each time? Jesus said to feed his sheep and take care of them. Isn't this what Jesus is saying to us as well- FEED HIS SHEEP!
How do we do this? Our actions, words and deeds speak volumes. Also, take time to see what way Jesus wants you to connect with others. My way to open the door about Jesus is with small crosses with a chain attached. This helps open the door to witness. Sometimes this is enough, other times it leads to a conversation - both are productive.
Some times we have our own idea of how things should be and what we should do. Peter did this as well. Let's now look at Acts 10 begin at verse 9:
Peter was still holding on to some of the law, in particular the Jewish idea of not eating unclean food, such as pork. Then comes Acts 10 when Peter goes to the roof to pray, falls into a trance, and sees the vision 3 times. Think about the number 3, times Peter denied Christ, times he saw the vision, and then 3 men come to take him to Cornelius, the centurion.
Peter was hungry, the vision shows animals and reptiles and the spirit tell Peter to kill and eat. Peter says he has never eaten anything impure or unclean. The voice tells Peter "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean". We may have our own idea or tradition of what is right and wrong. God will lead us the right way.
When Peter gets to Cornelius' house, he has realized the vision is telling him that he "should not call any man impure or unclean". AKA FEED MY SHEEP!
How often is our life like Peters, peaks and valleys, ups and downs, deny and not speak up, then become bold and speak up boldly. Sometimes our idea of right and wrong is not what God is telling us (speaking of traditions often found in churches).
It is important that we remain in constant pray and contact with God and His spirit so we can not only talk the talk, BUT, walk the walk!
We can learn a lot by following Peter (Petros). Thank you for reading. Love you all. FEED JESUS' SHEEP!!]
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
No comments:
Post a Comment