A life that points to Christ
Peter
From Peter we learn the boldness and the stumbling of a real disciple, and the mercy of a Lord who restores the one who fails Him. His life teaches faith that steps out and grace that lifts us up, and it points to the Savior who forgives, restores, and recommissions.
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Matthew 16:16
“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”Luke 22:61
“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”John 21:17
“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”Matthew 14:30
Their story, honestly
Peter was a fisherman who left his nets to follow Jesus and became a leader among the disciples. He confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and he walked on water toward Jesus, only to sink when he saw the wind, crying, Lord, save me. Impulsive and passionate, he swore he would never deny Jesus, then denied Him three times on the night of His arrest, and wept bitterly when the rooster crowed and the Lord looked at him. But the risen Jesus sought him out, asked him three times, lovest thou me, and recommissioned him to feed His sheep. Peter went on to preach boldly at Pentecost and lead the early church.
What their life teaches us
First, Peter teaches faith that takes risks; he stepped out of the boat, and even his sinking teaches that when we begin to go under, the right cry is, Lord, save me. Second, he teaches that failure is not final; his devastating denial did not end his story, because Jesus restored him. Third, he teaches that restoration is personal and thorough; Jesus met his threefold denial with a threefold question of love and a renewed calling. Peter's life is enormously hopeful for anyone who has failed the Lord they love, because it shows that Jesus specializes in restoring fallen disciples and using them again.
How their life points to Christ
Peter denied Jesus three times, and the risen Christ restored him three times, turning his worst failure into the ground of his usefulness. Jesus is the Savior who does not discard those who fall but seeks them out to forgive and recommission them. Peter learned that our standing rests not on our own steadfastness but on the mercy of Christ, who prayed for him that his faith would not fail. The impulsive fisherman who sank in the waves and denied his Lord became a rock in the church, not by his strength, but by the grace of the One who lifted him.
Questions people ask
What do we learn from Peter's denial and restoration?
That failing Jesus, even badly, is not the end for those He loves. Peter denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly, yet the risen Lord sought him out, asked three times if he loved Him, and recommissioned him. It teaches that Jesus restores fallen disciples and uses them again.
What does Peter walking on water teach us?
That faith steps out toward Jesus, and that when we sink, the right response is to cry, Lord, save me. Peter's courage and his failure both instruct us: bold faith takes risks, and even our faltering can drive us to depend on the Christ who reaches out His hand.