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"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to [Me], strengthen your brethren." But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Luke 22:32-33 NKJV
The ups and downs of Simon Peter’s life should give every man hope. Jesus loved his impetuous apostle and stuck with him through some bad (sometimes incredibly bad) moments. And through it all, Peter matured into a tremendous leader, a man who helped introduce billions of people to his Lord. Think about it:” Where might you be today apart from Peter’s Pentecost sermon that kick-started the church (Acts 2)?
It’s easy to judge Peter for his boastful statement above, since we know what happened next. Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:34). Jesus was exactly right, validating and necessitating His words “when you have turned back.”
Peter’s later compatriot, Paul, warned about overconfidence in the Christian life. After describing the failures of the ancient Israelites, Paul said, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us….So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).
Peter is probably nodding in agreement, saying, “Don’t ever think you can live the Christian life in your own power.”
Prayer: Lord, please strengthen me by Your Spirit.
The ups and downs of Simon Peter’s life should give every man hope. Jesus loved his impetuous apostle and stuck with him through some bad (sometimes incredibly bad) moments. And through it all, Peter matured into a tremendous leader, a man who helped introduce billions of people to his Lord. Think about it:” Where might you be today apart from Peter’s Pentecost sermon that kick-started the church (Acts 2)?
It’s easy to judge Peter for his boastful statement above, since we know what happened next. Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:34). Jesus was exactly right, validating and necessitating His words “when you have turned back.”
Peter’s later compatriot, Paul, warned about overconfidence in the Christian life. After describing the failures of the ancient Israelites, Paul said, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us….So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).
Peter is probably nodding in agreement, saying, “Don’t ever think you can live the Christian life in your own power.”
Prayer: Lord, please strengthen me by Your Spirit.
