The Power of Peter’s Life
Introduction: Acts
2:1-14 Then Peters Stood Up
The same Peter who only days earlier had denied our Lord
three times was now this bold and empowered person who not only saw three
thousand added to the number of the disciples in a single afternoons preaching
but who rightfully claimed the role of leader to the group who would become
known as The Christian Church and eventually turned the world on its head.
The outer workers or manifestations of the Spirit on the day
of Pentecost were obvious, rushing winds, tongues of fire and a multitude of
different languages that miraculously were endowed upon believers in an
instant.
Similarly the fruits of the Holy Spirit from Galatians five
are also easily identified in the lives of believers. But in inner workers of
the Holy Spirit are more difficult to identify and as a result are not often
spoken of. Yet Paul says that all of these things are from the one Spirit. And
though we often like to separate the inner from the outer it is apparent that
one cannot exist without the other.
It is therefore these inner works which I believe are just
as vital to seeing God’s Spirit manifest in the lives of any believer.
Jesus Breathes on the
disciples – John 21
After Jesus appears to the disciples when they were hid from
the Jews in fear of reprisals, which is for the body of our Lord not being
present in the tomb, Jesus appears amongst them and greets them with “Peace I
give unto you”. Whilst this greeting may seem out of place in this setting,
seeing Jesus ‘presence in itself is a miracle, it was however a customary for
Jews to greet others in this way. The greeting of Shalom which actually means
for wholeness basically means “you have no reason to fear me”.
Very little was said during this meeting but Jesus goes on
to breathe on them and tell them to receive the Holy Spirit. Whilst some
scholars see this merely as a pre-emptive act for the coming of the Spirit on
the day of Pentecost, I think there are greater consequences of this simple
greeting and breathing than meets the eye.
Jesus said on multiple occasions that he only did what he
saw or heard from the Father. Just as when Jesus cursed the fig tree for not
bearing fruit and as a consequence the disciples saw it shrivelled when they
passed by the following day, so too was this simple act the beginning of a
transformation in the lives of all the disciple none the least of Peter.
The disciple had for three years walked with Christ and seen
and heard all that he had done and said. Just as faith comes from hearing the
word so too had the disciples increased their faith in being with Christ? Now
it was time for the Holy Spirit to begin his inner workings in their lives.
What had happened
with Peter when they came for Christ?
Firstly we know
that Peter acted like he often had previously, impetuously and rashly by
cutting off the ear of the high priests ‘servant. This was not uncommon for
“foot in mouth” Peter who was often saying and doing the wrong things.
Whether it was at the transfiguration of Christ when Moses
and Elijah appear and Peter can only think to build shelters for them or when
Jesus must rebuke harshly Peter with “get behind me Satan” from wanting to
hinder the work of God.
Secondly we know
Peter scattered and ran like the others probably in fear of being arrested with
our Lord. Yet later on we find he follows Jesus to the residence of the high
priests home. It is here that we witness Peter’s most difficult moment and the
three times that he denies even knowing Christ.
Interestingly, each of these denials I believe correlate to
the temptations of Christ and later reveals why Christ asks Peter if he loves
him three times. This I call the pattern of three.
Christ’s Temptation Peter’s Denial Peter’s
Restoration
-Turning stone to bread warm
himself by the fire Do you Philae
me?
(the need to eat) (the need for
warmth) (Feed my lambs)
-Atop the temple mount No
admitted to H/Priest home Do you Agape
me?
(Authority of the
church) (Exclusion from
hierarchy) (Care for my lambs)
-Kingdoms of the world Association
with evil Do you
Agape me?
(Worldliness adorned) (Cursing not be approved) (Feed my Sheep)
Thirdly he went
back to what he knew, fishing and in John 21 in a little BBQ scene we see Peter
finally restored.
So how did the Holy
Spirit work in Peter leading to Pentecost?
Firstly much more powerfully than we give credit. Not only
was Jesus determined to see Peter reconciled to himself but also restored as
the true leader of the early church. Just as God’s gifts are irrevocable so is
his calling in our lives. God is committed to Peter fully and we see this in
his complete restoration as seen in John 21.
He exposes our Sin
and Weaknesses
Just as Peter denied Christ three times so too did our Lord
ask Peter if he truly loved him three times, each weighing heavily upon Peter’s
weaknesses. Not just as the world loves, that is with Philae love, but as God
loves with Agape love which is unconditional.
Peter as decreed by Christ to be the Rock was no longer the
reed which sways with the direction of the wind, Peter’s personality and ways
was to give in and to give up when things became too difficult. Now the Lord is
exposing his weakness to see him as the man of God he was always called to be.
He causes us to let
go of our past and traditions
Christ comes to Peter and the disciples when they had returned
to what they knew, that is fishing. This was their past time and security in
what they knew and understood. When Jesus went to the cross and died they
thought this was the end of the journey. They could not see the bigger picture
even after Christ appears to them after his resurrection. These fishermen
turned back to what they knew to meet their needs and bring them a sense of
security. We too, in our darkest hours will often go back to what we know and
think brings us security. Maybe this is our parent’s home or place of
upbringing, but the journey with Christ must continue.
He brings us to a
place of submission
As Christ restores Peter, he does so in three ways. First
asking Peter to “feed my lambs” , whilst this simple comment may seem
insignificant it is important to note Jesus’ use of the word lambs as opposed
to sheep. Simply, this I believe is a metaphor for Peter to be obedient to his
original call to lead the church even in its early days.
Secondly, Christ asks Peter to take “care of my lambs”, I
believe emphasising the increasing burden and responsibility that he must have
to those that belong to Jesus. Not necessarily those whom Peter loves but who
are loved by Christ.
Finally he asks Peter to “fee my sheep”, now speaking of
lambs that have grown and matured both in understanding and age. This is a call
to be obedient to the very end to the church that Christ is head.
Interestingly, it is said that when Nero attacked the Christians
when looking for a scapegoat for burning Rome, Peter fled Rome, only later on
the road returning to Antioch he turns back and fulfils his call of obedience
to the Lord. It is in his turning back to face certain persecution and death
does he completely fulfil his call of obedience.
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