“He was astonished... at the draft of the fishes which they had taken.... Jesus said... Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men” (Luke 5:9-10).
Peter’s Call and Commission
Two of John the Baptist’s disciples heard him affectionately say of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God,” and they followed Jesus. One of the two was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother and said unto him, “We have found the Messias... and he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:36-42).
When Jesus beheld Peter, He said, “Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone” (John 1:42).
Jesus knew Peter’s kindness would allow Him to preach from his ship. Peter was rewarded by the greatest catch he ever had. It made Peter feel his unworthiness in the presence of his Creator. Falling down at Jesus’ knees, he said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Peter recognized himself a sinner and Jesus as “Lord.”
Jesus told Simon, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him” (Luke 5:3-11).
Peter’s Self-Confidence
“The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak” sometimes characterized Peter, as it does us. Guided by the Father, he spoke the truth concerning Jesus’ person in Matthew 16:16: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yet shortly after this, his zealousness for the Lord caused him to deny Jesus’ words concerning His decease and he was sternly rebuked: “Get thee behind Me, Satan” (vs. 23).
On the mount of transfiguration Peter slept while Moses and Elijah were speaking of Jesus concerning His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. When he was awake and saw His glory, he wanted to prolong the occasion and he makes the mistake of putting Jesus on a level with these two men.
On another occasion the Lord warned Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted [restored], strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus said to His disciples, “All ye shall be offended because of Me this night.” Peter’s self-confidence made him say, “Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended.” Jesus replied, “Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice” (Matt. 26:31-34).
In Gethsemane, rather than praying as Jesus had told them, Peter, James and John fell asleep. When the Lord was confronted by those sent by the chief priests, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus. Again Jesus rebuked him. The Lord Jesus had been in prayer and went through His whole ordeal with the Father and never faltered. Peter’s lack of dependence in prayer led to fear and his triple denial of his dear Lord under pressure.
Peter’s Faith
Later on, however, after the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell within believers, Peter fell into a confident sleep. Even though Herod intended to behead Peter shortly, he slept so soundly that the angel sent to deliver him from the prison had to strike him on the side to awaken him.
The Spirit of God has been pleased to tell us some failures of this dear, warmhearted man. If He had not told us any failures of His devoted followers, we would be very dejected when we fail the Lord in our day. Who has not been encouraged by the Lord’s immediate response to Peter’s call, “Lord, save me,” as he began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus while walking on the water (Matt. 14:28-31)?
Peter’s restoration began in a private meeting of the Lord with Peter. Of what was said we know nothing. This is always the first step in restoration. We must humble ourselves before the Lord alone. His public restoration is recounted in John 21. Peter, a natural leader, goes back to fishing and takes others with him. The Lord graciously gives them a good catch after a fruitless night’s work.
After He had fed them, Jesus spoke to Peter in the presence of the others. Thus all would know that Peter had been fully restored. Peter was charged with feeding and shepherding His sheep, even the lambs. This was according to the Lord’s words in Luke 22:32, “When thou art converted [restored], strengthen thy brethren.”
Peter’s Work
On the day of Pentecost, Peter and the other apostles preached boldly and about 3000 were saved. Peter’s mandate was to the Jewish people, as Paul was charged with the gospel to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7-8). The early chapters of Acts show Peter working among his people. His epistles are addressed to those dispersed among the Gentiles.
What a contrast to the former age of law we see in 1 Peter 1:4-5. Now we have an inheritance that is “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” Israel had lost theirs. Ours, Jew and Gentile, is reserved in heaven for us who are kept by the power of God. Thankfully, we can never lose it.
He learned lessons which we find in reading his epistles. For example, denying his Lord made him realize how important it is to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). He affectionately closes his epistles with, “To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
T. A. Roach