Peter was among the first of the disciples called during Jesus’ ministry. He became the first apostle ordained by Jesus and he worked as a fisherman in Bethsaida. He was named Simon, Barjona. He was a trong-willed, impulsive and used bad words. Peter met Jesus through his brother Andrew, who followed Jesus after John proclaimed him to be the Lamb of God. Jesus named Simon, Cephas which in Aramaic means Peter, which is Greek for the rock.

Peter left everything behind to follow Jesus, even his marriage and his job as a fisherman. He was one of the first to confess Jesus was the Christ. A natural leader, despite all of his imperfections and having several failings in his life, he was the spokesman for all the disciples.

He was part of the inner circle of Christ; being one of the only three that Jesus reveals all his secrets to and was up close and personal with him. Peter saw Jesus perform all kind of miracles and unbelievable things, like raising Jairus’ daughter from  death (Mark 5:35-42), witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration(Matthew1:1-2) etc.

Peter was impulsive; when he saw Jesus walking on the water, he left the security of the boat to walk on the water to meet Jesus and fell in. He rebuked Jesus for speaking of his death and boasted that he would never deny Jesus, which he did three times. He also wanted to build a church on the mount of transfiguration to honor Moses and Elijah. It is said that he was the one who drew the sword in the garden of Gethsamane and cut off the ear of the soldier of the High Priest. Matthew14:28-28, 16:22, 17:4, 26:33 John18:10

After Peter had showed himself to be impulsive, imperfect and having denied Jesus, he was ashamed. The resurrected Jesus called for him(Mark 16:7) to hear the good news. He restored Peters’ brokenness(John 21:6-15-17) and ordained him. On the day of Pentecost, Peter was once again the leader of the disciples and he spoke to the crowd (Acts2:14) Peter began his work with bold assurance. He healed and preached; the frustration, fear and anger no longer had a hold on him. Being arrested, beaten and threatened didn’t stop him from doing the will of God.

Peter, through, Christ opened the church to all people not just to the Jews, but the Gentiles also (Acts 10). At first, he resisted when God spoke to him on the roof top concerning Cornelius the Gentile. Peter was the first to conclude that God doesn’t show favoritism. I was moved in my spirit by the fact that it took a single touch from the Divine to make an imperfect and impulsive man that was filled with so much anger change his attitude. On the rooftop, this time Peters’ impulsiveness didn’t control him and he did the will of God.

By many standards, Peter would not be suited for the Kingdom. But Jesus saw what was not visible to man in Peter, a vessel for God that, once filled, will no long have a hollow sound. Peter, I understand why you were a curser and a fighter, called impulsive and imperfect and having many failures in your life. You had what it took to be a leader and a warrior, but it took Jesus’ life and death to train and tame you for your kingdom position. When we proclaim to be a vessel of God we must have the right heart and mind, which Peter did. Peter was passionate and committed. Peter sincerely meant what he said and did with good intentions.

Mark 14:27 Jesus said to his disciples, “all you shall be offended because of me this night, for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” When Peter who just saw Jesus taken away, I understand it to be his anger and frustration that made him deny Christ. Here is Peter, the only one of the disciples to reveal that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Messiah, who saw all the miracles and unbelievable things Jesus was capable of doing from in his inner circle and was being exposed to his secrets as well. What do you do when the one you look up to like a hero allows himself to be taken away without a fight knowing his abilities and struggling to figure out why wouldn’t he do something, anything to stop it? Jesus called Peter Satan for pleading with him not to go to Jerusalem and be killed, when he walked on the water and fell into it because he was afraid, told him he had little faith, and then rebuked him for cutting the ear off the soldiers when trying to defend, and protect him. Jesus had shown Peter his power and might and yet in the time of his need did nothing. All the other disciples ran away because of fear. Peter was fearful also, “yes” because he couldn’t understand why Jesus wasn’t fighting back or even doing something to break free. I believe he was thinking to himself does Jesus know that they are all in it together? Whatever is happening to him is going to affect those who are with him, who love and care for him.

The lesson I believe Jesus wanted Peter to learn is to know when to use his power and what to use it for, because Jesus used his to help others not himself, “humility.” Matthew 16:24 Jesus said, “anyone who wants to follow me has to deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”

Some people can only be strong when they know that they are not alone in the battle. Unity is strength and power especially having great support with you, like Jesus. But he had to stand alone. Jesus was the strength of the disciples, he was the pillar, rock, and foundation. When Jesus was taken away everyone that followed him crumbled, even someone like Peter the great warrior.