The
Apostles –
Becoming Unified Through Diversity
·
As
he often did, Jesus taught around the Sea and Galilee, and attracted large
crowds. After he taught, Jesus told Peter to let down his nets. (v. 3,4) Peter,
irritated at their lack of success, at first resisted (v. 5). But Peter obeyed,
and experienced amazing results! (v. 6,7)
·
Peter
saw himself as he was, and literally fell to his knees (v. 8). This incident
seems typical of Peter. A lack of faith at first, but a true heart for God, and
genuine repentance
·
Months
before, while in the vicinity of Jerusalem, Peter and Andrew evidently heard
about John the Baptist (v. 28). While following John, Andrew heard about
another great teacher (v. 40)
·
Something
Andrew saw in Jesus led him to believe this was the Messiah, and so ran to get
Peter
·
Jesus
knew the heart of the opinionated fisherman. Rugged, yet full of doubts, Jesus
could see ahead, and though they hadn't met before, Jesus changed his name to
Peter, (v. 42) which means rock. This fisherman would become the foundation for
the church. But he still had much to learn.
·
Peter
was partners in a fishing business along with Andrew, James and John (v. 18;
Luke 5:10) These four men would become "fishers of men" (v. 19)
·
These
men were already comfortable working together, and it was only natural that
Peter would become, or remain, their leader.
·
There
are numerous examples of Peter taking upon himself the role of leader. One of
the first examples is in Luke 8:43-45. Here are others… Matt 15:15; Matt.
16:16; Mark 8:32; Luke 12:41; Matt. 18:21; Matt. 19:27; Mark 11:21; John
13:36-38
·
Imagine
what it was like to follow and learn from Jesus, God Himself! In Jesus, Peter
had a teacher who knew the very thoughts in his heart
·
In
this passage, Jesus has taken Peter, James and John ahead to pray. Jesus asks
them to keep watch while he prays (v. 34) He returns to find them asleep (v.
37)
·
Mark
is thought to have later become associated with Peter, and notice what he
records in his Gospel. Jesus asks a hard question of Peter (v. 37) Notice in
particular the name Jesus uses for Peter. This leader-to-be still needed to
learn strength and determination. A day earlier, Peter had proclaimed he would
not forsake the Lord (Mark 14:29)
·
Jesus
had prepared Peter for his moment of denial (Luke 22:31-32) Again note the name
used. Even then, Jesus was reassuring Peter, for he would need confidence as a
leader
·
We
all know how Peter failed Christ. Peter cut off the ear of a man who had come
with the crowd to take Jesus. Jesus rebuked him (22:51) Later, as Peter waited
outside, he denied Jesus three time. (22:54-60) As the rooster crowed, Peter
knew what he had done (v. 62)
·
Peter
experienced the terrible day of the crucifixion. He ran to the tomb to see if
it was truly empty (Luke 24:12) He hid in the room with the other disciples,
not sure what was going to happen next (John 20:19). Finally, he and the others
retreated to what was familiar to them, their old comfort zone (John 21:3)
·
Jesus
appeared and gave them some familiar instructions (v. 6)
·
This
time, Peter did not hesitate, and again they hauled in a miraculous catch (v.
6) Peter knew at once it was the Lord! (v. 7) Typical of Peter, he did not wait
for the others (v. 7,8)
·
Later,
Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. Note that Jesus again uses
Peter's original name, and it's probably no accident Jesus asks three times.
·
In
the first two questions, Jesus uses the word agape. In Jesus' third
question, and in all of Peter's answers, the word philos is used.
·
Peter
still feels the sting of his denial, but Jesus gently restores him.
·
After
Jesus returned to heaven, Peter became the leader of the apostles. Acts records
the great deeds Peter did, and the great sermons he preached. (e.g. Acts.
2:14-41)
·
However,
Peter still needed to learn one great lesson. Even though he was a leader in
the Church, and was tasked to spread the Gospel far and wide, Peter didn't
understand that Gentiles were also to be included in the flock (John 10:16)
·
A
rude awakening came in the form of a dream (Acts 10:11) Three times Peter was
told to eat of these unclean animals (Again, the reminder of three times). Peter resisted (v. 14)
·
Peter
didn't understand the meaning of this till he met the Roman Cornelius. The Holy
Spirit came upon this Roman household (v. 44-48)
·
Peter
made his first great confession in Matt. 16:16. Now, he makes his second great
confession in Acts 10:34-35. Peter realized that Jesus came for all people.
#1) No matter what your previous
experience, Jesus Christ can use you to serve Him
#2) It takes time to become the
person God wants you to become
#3) Prejudice can be one of the
most difficult challenges many people face in their Christian lives
For
next week read Matt. 10:2; Matt. 20:20-21; Mark 5:37; Mark 3:17; Acts 12:1-2
(Outlines are available at
http://www.jeffkouba.com/SundaySchool/)
