Can you name this disciple of Jesus?
He was impulsive. Often speaking and acting without thinking.
He had a propensity for violence.
He allowed fear to control his behavior.
Generally considered the leader of the twelve disciples. Peter was the first of the disciples to verbally acknowledge Jesus as the Son of the living God. He saw Jesus performing countless miracles. So many the apostle John wrote. If they were written one by one. I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25
Despite all the physical evidence supporting the divinity of Jesus. Peter shrank back in fear and followed Jesus from a distance after His arrest.
Hoping to avoid persecution because of his three-year affiliation with Jesus. Peter joined the accusers of Jesus when they lit a fire in the middle of the house’s courtyard where Jesus was being held. Then proceeded to verbally deny being His follower, not once but three times.
How could someone who was with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry desert Jesus in His time of need? The same reason many Christians today desert Jesus when threatened with rejection or persecution.
Although Peter intellectually recognized Jesus’s divinity. Jesus was not the Lord and Master of Peter’s heart.
Jesus warns prospective followers.
You cannot be My disciple. Unless you love Me more than you love your father and mother. Your wife and children. Your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with Me unless you love Me more than you love your own life. You cannot be My disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me. So, then you cannot be My disciple unless you give away everything you own. Luke 14:26-27 and 33
A message, which until recently has been fundamentally absent in the America Church. In spite of this, there are a growing number of Christians who are dumpster diving. Searching for something that is edible and life sustaining amongst the trash being taught. People who are hungry for Truth— Jesus.
This is what ultimately changed Peter’s heart. The man who deserted Jesus in His time of need. No longer feared man because Christ was Lord and Master of his life.
Living a holy, righteous life was Peter’s “thank you”. A “thank you” thousands heard on the day of Pentecost.
Now listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that He sent Jesus to you by having Him work miracles, wonders and signs. All of you know this.
God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So, you took Him, and had evil men put Him to death on a cross. But God set Him free from death and raised Him to life. Death could not hold Him in its power.
Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children. It is for everyone our Lord God will choose. No matter where they live. I beg you to save yourselves from what will happen to all these evil people. Acts 2:22-24 and 38-41
Why was Peter’s message so powerful? It was Truth.
Truth, who hung on the cross and conquered death through His resurrection.
Truth, who ultimately will abolish death forever.
Truth, who denies no one the opportunity to repent and be baptized into the family of God.
Truth, who has the power to radically transform anyone who will call upon His name and believe He is Truth.
Truth, beautifully declared in the song, Jesus Loves Me.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Be a VOICE shouting into the wilderness.
“CHRIST is returning!”
letsloveothers 