The Apostle Paul Was Human And So Are We

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Short Summary
The discourse highlights the apostle Peter’s impulsive nature balanced by his deep love for Jesus, which sustained him through trials, mistakes, and growth in faith. Despite moments of weakness, such as denying Jesus, Peter’s love and humility enabled his transformation and bold service after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Ultimately, Peter’s example teaches that a consuming love for Jesus can carry believers through challenges and lead to spiritual victory.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on the Apostle Peter

Peter’s Character and Defining Quality
– Peter is often described as impetuous—impulsive and outspoken, acting before thinking through consequences, and susceptible to peer pressure.
– Despite these flaws, the one quality that defined Peter and sustained him through his experiences was his profound love for Jesus.
– This love was a key factor that helped Peter remain faithful despite his stumbles and trials, and it is a model for all Christians to carry them through their spiritual journey (John 21:17).

Peter’s Introduction to Jesus and Name Change
– Peter did not initially seek Jesus; Jesus was found by his brother Andrew through John the Baptist’s testimony (John 1:35-42).
– Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, who renamed Simon as Cephas (Peter), meaning “stone” or “rock,” symbolizing the transformation Peter would undergo from impulsive to steadfast (John 1:42).
– This renaming was prophetic of Peter’s future character change, as noted by Brother Russell.

Early Ministry and Calling as a Disciple
– Jesus’ public ministry began after John the Baptist’s imprisonment (Matthew 4:12-17).
– Jesus called Peter and Andrew while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, performing the miraculous catch of fish which convinced Peter of Jesus’ divine power (Luke 5:1-11).
– Jesus then called Peter and others to be “fishers of men,” and Peter left everything to follow Him (Luke 5:11).

Peter’s Interactions with Jesus Illustrate His Character
– Walking on water (Matthew 14:25-31) showed both Peter’s courage and weakness—he walked toward Jesus but began to sink when distracted.
– Jesus’ teaching on the Bread of Life (John 6:26-69) was difficult for followers to understand, but Peter affirmed his faith, recognizing Jesus as “the Holy One of God.”
– Peter was the first to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, revealed by God’s Spirit rather than human reasoning (Matthew 16:13-17).

Peter’s Failures and Jesus’ Rebuke
– Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus foretold His death, showing natural, human misunderstanding (Matthew 16:21-23). Jesus sharply rebuked Peter, calling him “Satan” for opposing God’s plan.
– Jesus used this moment to teach about self-denial and the cost of discipleship (Matthew 16:24-26).

Peter’s Commitment and Questions About Reward
– When Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all and follow Him, the man left sorrowful (Matthew 19:21).
– Peter asked what reward the apostles would receive for sacrificing everything, to which Jesus promised seats of judgment and eternal life for faithful followers (Matthew 19:27-29).

The Last Supper and Humility Lesson
– Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, including Peter’s, teaching humility and servant leadership (John 13:4-17).
– Peter initially resisted but then eagerly asked to have not only his feet but hands and head washed, showing his growing understanding.

Peter’s Denial Foretold and Actual Denial
– Jesus predicted Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:31-35; Luke 22:31-34).
– Despite Peter’s confident vows, he denied Jesus three times when confronted during Jesus’ trial (Matthew 26:69-75).
– Peter’s failure showed his human weakness but also his genuine love, as he was willing to be near Jesus even at personal risk.

Peter’s Defense of Jesus and Courage
– In Gethsemane, Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, showing his zeal and willingness to defend Jesus by force (John 18:10).
– Jesus rebuked the use of violence, explaining that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).

Peter’s Restoration and Commission
– After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to Peter and the disciples, restoring Peter by asking three times if he loved Him (John 21:15-17).
– Peter’s love was initially filial (phileo) but grew into agape (selfless, unconditional love) after receiving the Holy Spirit.

Empowerment at Pentecost and Bold Preaching
– At Pentecost, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, which transformed his impulsiveness into godly boldness (Acts 2:1-4).
– Peter preached powerfully to the crowd, accusing them of crucifying Jesus but proclaiming His resurrection and Lordship, leading to the conversion of 3,000 people (Acts 2:14-41).

Lessons from Peter’s Life
– Peter’s consuming love for Jesus led him to:
– Leave all to follow Jesus
– Walk on water amid storms
– Confess Jesus as the Messiah boldly
– Defend Jesus with a sword
– Remain near Jesus until the end
– His love carried him through failures and trials, growing from a natural, human love to a Spirit-led agape love.
– This love and faith are the greatest lessons for believers, enabling victory in the Christian walk despite challenges (1 Peter 1:8).

Key Bible Verses Mentioned:
– John 21:17 — Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”
– John 1:35-42 — Andrew brings Peter to Jesus; name change to Cephas (Peter)
– Matthew 4:12-17 — Jesus begins public ministry in Galilee
– Luke 5:1-11 — Miraculous catch of fish; calling of the first disciples
– Matthew 14:25-31 — Peter walking on water
– John 6:26-69 — Bread of Life discourse; Peter’s confession of faith
– Matthew 16:13-18 — Peter’s confession of Jesus as Christ and Jesus’ response
– Matthew 16:21-26 — Jesus foretells death; rebukes Peter
– Matthew 19:21-29 — Rich young ruler; Peter’s question on reward
– John 13:4-17 — Jesus washes the disciples’ feet
– Matthew 26:31-75; Luke 22:31-34 — Jesus predicts Peter’s denial; Peter denies Jesus
– John 18:10, 36 — Peter uses sword; Jesus explains kingdom nature
– John 21:15-17 — Restoration of Peter’s love
– Acts 2:1-41 — Pentecost; Peter’s bold preaching and conversion of 3,000
– 1 Peter 1:8 — Encouragement to love Jesus without seeing Him

Overall Theme:
Peter’s life exemplifies how deep love for Jesus, empowered by faith and the Holy Spirit, can transform even the most impulsive and flawed individual into a steadfast, bold disciple who overcomes trials and leads others. His story encourages believers to cultivate a consuming love for Jesus to endure and triumph in their Christian walk.

Transcript

When we think of the apostle Peter, what word comes to mind? Impetuous, which Merriam Webster defines as being impulsive, which comes from the Latin word impetus, which means an impulsive or driving force, and this led Peter to be outspoken, saying things before he thought them out. It led him to act first, before thinking out the ramifications of his actions, and in addition to this, he was subject to peer pressure.

So he was like a lot of us. But one quality really stands out.

Sorry again, one quality really stands out, really, I think, defines the apostle Peter and helped him through all his experiences, all his mountaintop experiences, all his valley experiences, all the challenges he had, and that was his love for Jesus.

We read about this in John 21:17, where he was on the Sea of Galilee, and we’ll get to that experience in a little while. It said Peter was grieved because Jesus had said to him the third time, do you love me?

And he said to him, lord, you know all things. You know that I love you. You know, if there’s any lesson that we take from the Apostle Peter’s life and apply to ourselves is was Peter was faithful despite all of his stumbles, despite all of his trials, because he loved Jesus.

And that same type of love will carry us through our Christian walk to victory if we love Jesus as deeply as Peter did.

You know, Peter didn’t start out searching for the Messiah. Jesus found him through his brother Andrew. As you read In John the first chapter, beginning with verse 35, again, the next day, John. This is John the Baptist standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as Jesus walked by and said, behold the Lamb of God.

The two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus, and one of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found his own brother Simon and said to him, we have found the Messiah, which means the Christ, you know. This took place shortly after Jesus returned from the wilderness, you know, and after hearing John proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God, Andrew followed Jesus for a time.

They had some interaction, and then he reported back to his brother Peter, we have found the Messiah.

Being a good brother, Andrew brought Peter to to Jesus. As we read in verse 42 of John 1, he brought Peter to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, you’re Simon, son of John. You shall be called Cephas, which means Peter. Here the relationship between Peter and Jesus begins by Jesus changing Peter’s name.

Interesting way.

When Jesus met Simon, Jesus said, you’re Simon, son of John. You know, Jesus Knew who? Simon’s. He knew Simon’s name, he knew his father’s name, and he could read Simon’s character. Simon is really derived from the Hebrew shyman, which is translated from songs under 8,095.

It means hearing, and Simon really lived up to his name of hearing as he followed in Jesus, as we’ll find out. But Jesus changes Simon’s name to Cephas, the Hebrew equivalent of Petros, which is Greek and means stone, indicating really the transformation of Peter’s character that would take place through his following of Jesus. His brother Russell writes in reprint 2571. It said this may be understand as kind of a prophecy on our Lord’s part respecting the great change in Peter’s character.

You know, Peter was naturally very impulsive, not sufficiently solid, too easily carried about, and yet our Lord foretold the change that would make Peter one of the staunchest and most substantial of his core of disciples, Jesus. Public ministry did not begin immediately, but waited for a period of time until John the Baptist had been imprisoned by Herod. Brother Russell writes about this in reprint 2245. For a while after the temptation of the wilderness, our Lord’s ministry was of the more private character until after John had finished his ministry and been cast into prison.

This interim of time before our Lord began his public work is frequently estimated at six months to a year, you know, and during this time, Andrew and Peter are in the fishing business on the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus and his family have moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, as we read in Matthew 4, verses 12 through 17. Now, when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, he withdrew into Galilee, and leaving Nazareth, he came and settled in the Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the.

In the region of Zebulon and Naphtali. From that time Jesus began to preach and say, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and it’s here that Andrew and Peter and Jesus meet again.

We read about the meeting in Luke the fifth chapter, beginning with verse one. Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing about him and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats lying on the edge of the lake. But the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets, and he got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked them to put out a little way from the land, and Jesus sat down, began teaching the people from the boat.

And when he finished speaking, he said to Simon, put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch, you know. Following his sermon, Jesus is going to make a demonstration that he is the Messiah.

Now Simon answers him in verse five and says, master, we’ve worked hard all night, we’ve caught nothing. But I will do as you say, I will let down the nets, and when they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish and their nits nets began to break, and so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help, and they came and they filled both of the boats so that they began to sink.

But when Simon saw all of this, he fell down on Jesus feast and said, he said, go away from me Lord, for I’m a sinful man.

Peter’s been overwhelmed by just what he’s seen, you know. Here he shows his humility and he recognizes his unworthiness compared to Jesus.

For amazement had seized him and all of his companions because of the catch of the fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of deity, who were partners with Simon, and Jesus says to Simon, do not fear. From now on you will be catching men, you know. Brother Russell makes the following comment about this event in reprint 32 3720, you know, this miracle was performed for the purpose of fully and finally convincing Peter, Andrew, James and John respecting the Lord’s relationship to the Father and his power of control in respect to things temporal as well as things spiritual.

The lesson evidently had its designed effect and our Lord clinched the matter by then, and there inviting the four to become his permanent disciples to become fishers of men. Verse 11. When they brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Now for the next few minutes, we’re going to go look at some of the interactions between Peter and Jesus and see what lessons we can learn for them. Just after feeding the 5,000 is recorded in Matthew the 14th chapter. Peter and Jesus have such an interaction, you know, Jesus sends the disciples by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while dismissing the Peter people, and later that night, the boat is struggling to make progress against the contrary wind, and we pick up the story in Matthew 14, verses 25 and 26.

In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. Now remember, Jesus has walked quite a distance on the sea to get there, and when the disciples saw him walking on a sea, they were terrified and said, it’s a ghost, and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.

And Peter said, lord, if it’s you, command me to come out to you on the water, and Jesus said, come, and Peter got out of the boat and walked in the water and came to Jesus.

Brother Russell, in reprint 46 18, tells us what this event reveals to us about Peter’s character. He says, today’s study emphasizes both the strength and the weakness of St. Peter’s natural disposition. We identify the character here pictured as the same which was displayed on other occasions, noble and courageous, but rather forward and boastful.

Now, we’re not told what motivated Peter to make a request to walk out to Jesus on the water, but we do see a desire to be near Jesus, and I think we see a prophetic picture in this experience. You know, those who would attach themselves to Jesus as Peter did, would put themselves in stormy situations, persecution. Now, as long as they kept their eyes on Jesus, they would triumph over their conditions. But if they became distracted or overwhelmed or began to sink, Jesus would be near them to hear their cries for help, to rescue them.

He’d not let them sink.

The very next day, we learned that Peter had really been living up to his name. Shyman, or listening where the crowd follows Jesus to the other side of the lake, where Jesus gives the lesson. In John the sixth chapter, he says in verses 26 and 27, Truly, truly, I say unto you, you seek me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For him, the Father God has set his seal.

And then in verse 48, Jesus says, I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate man in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven that you may eat of and not die. I am the living bread that came down out of heaven, and if anybody eats this bread, he will live forever.

And the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.

But this conversation takes a very troubling turn when Jesus tells the audience how they are to feast on him as the bread of life. Verse 53, Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say unto you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

He who eats my flesh and drinks my Blood abides in me and I in him.

Now these were hard saints for the audience to take because they took them literally and they were a violation of the law if you did it literally. So as a result, many of our Lord’s followers withdrew and they stopped following them. So Jesus queried the 12 about their plans. In verse 67 and 69 he says, and so Jesus said to the 12, you do not want to go away also, do you?

To which Simon Peter answered, lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God. Now, Peter didn’t always understand what Jesus said. Jesus frequently talked in parables and dark sayings.

But Peter was convinced of who Jesus was and what he was offering, which was eternal life, and so Peter’s love and the faith that was growing out of that would carry him through experiences that he really didn’t understand until much later.

Later in Jesus ministry, Jesus posed a question to his disciples. We find it in Matthew 16, verses 13 and 14, which says, When Jesus came into the district of Caesarae Philippi, he was asking his disciples, who do people say the Son of Man is? And they said, some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, some others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But then Jesus asked a follow up question. He said to them, who do you say that I am?

And Simon Peter doesn’t say. He jumped up. But he answered, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter was the first to answer. He had been listening.

He had been paying attention to Jesus teachings even though he didn’t understand all of them.

Jesus goes on to tell Peter and the other apostles how Peter knew this. He says in verse 17, he says, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this unto you, but my Father who’s in heaven. Notice he addresses him as Simon, the listener, the Son of Jonah. Focusing on Peter’s man. It’s, it’s not fleshly reasoning on Peter’s part that’s come to this conclusion.

He had been revealed to Peter and the other apostles by God’s Holy Spirit. 18 and I also say to you that you are Peter. Upon this rock I will build the church, not upon Peter, but upon the fact that Jesus is the Son of God and the gates of hell will not overpower it, and I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and.

And whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. You know, Jesus gives Peter two keys to the kingdom of heaven, which he will open at Pentecost, and with the conversion of Cornelius, You know, it was right after this interchange, and this would have been an encouraging interchange with. Between Peter and Jesus was right after this that we read in Matthew 16:21 that from the time. From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised the third day.

Clearly, this is not what the disciples expected to happen. So Peter takes him aside and begins to re. Rebuke him and say, lord forbid it, Lord, this shall never happen to you. Now, Peter’s a natural man, thinking like a natural man. He doesn’t understand that Jesus needs to die as a ransom.

But Jesus response to Peter is really unexpected. But he turned to him and said, peter, get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me. For you’re not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.

Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. He’s facing the Messiah, his hero, and he gets rebuked like this.

Imagine Jesus calling you Satan.

Imagine Peter’s humiliation.

But it was Peter’s love for Jesus and his humility that carried him through this reprimand. Now, there’s no record of how Peter responded to this other than perhaps just being stunned. But Jesus turns this into a teaching moment, not just for Peter, but for the whole group. Continuing in verse 24. Then Jesus said to his disciples, anyone who wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.

For whoever wishes to save his life, meaning this life, will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Like the disciples, we must lose our life for Jesus sake if we would find a spiritual life in heaven. For what will profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for a soul? Now, this was somewhat new information for Peter and the other disciples which they would eventually embrace, and we too must embrace this idea if we hope to be with Jesus in the kingdom of heaven.

On his final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus met with a rich young urler who asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, and after telling him the commandments, Jesus gave him one final instruction. We find it in Matthew 19:21, and Jesus said, if you wish to be complete, then go and sell your possessions. Sell all your possessions.

Give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Come and follow me. Well, this was a bridge too far for this rich man, and he left sorrowful. But this exchange prompted a question by the apostle Peter.

We find it in Matthew 19, verse 27, where it says, then Peter said to him, behold, we’ve left everything. We followed you. Well, you know, what will there be for us? You know, it’s, it’s a logical question even though it sounds a little self centered. The apostles had given everything up.

And so Jesus response is in verses 28 and 29 Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, if you follow me in the regeneration, when the Son of man will sit on his glorious throne, you also will sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel, and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters, or father and mother, children or farms for my sake, will receive many times as much and inherit eternal life.

A great reward was promised for giving up all and following Jesus.

At the time of Passover, when Jesus death was approaching, we read in Luke 22 verses 7 and 8, that then came the first day of unleavened bread, in which the Passover lamb had to be satisfied, had to be sacrificed. Excuse me, and Jesus sent Peter and John saying, go and prepare the Passover for us that we may eat, you know, at this time. We also read in Luke 22:24 that there arose a dispute amongst them as to which one of them was regarded to be the greatest.

Perhaps this is the reason Peter and John didn’t make any provision for the washing of the feet for that meal. So during the supper we’re told in John 13, verse 4 and 5 that Jesus got up from supper, laid aside the garments, taking the towel, he girded himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. Jesus had a lesson to teach the disciples about humility and service.

On verse six we’re told that Jesus came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him, lord, do you wash my feet? I’m sure every one of the other disciples in that room had that same question in their minds. But Peter is the one that asked, and Jesus answered and said to him, what I do, not what I do.

Now you do not realize, but you will understand hereafter. Because feet washing was a servant’s job, and from Peter’s perspective the role, the role was wrong here. The master should not be washing his feet, and so Peter says to him, never shall you wash my feet.

And Jesus answered him, said, well if I do not wash you, you have no part of me. Again, an answer that Peter was not expecting. So the so what does Peter do? He goes to the other extreme. Well, if you know washing my feet is good, you know, washing more of me is better.

And so Simon said to him, lord, wash not only my feet, but my hands and my head. Peter doesn’t stand. This really is a spiritual lesson. But Jesus says, he who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean, and you are clean, but not all of you, you know, Peter’s as well as the rest of the 11 of the 11 had been cleansed by the washing the water with the word that Jesus had given him throughout his ministry.

But Peter’s willing to ask the question. If he doesn’t understand, then most all of the rest of the disciples also had.

After leaving the upper room and heading for Gethsemane, we’re told in Matthew 26, verses 31 and 32. Then Jesus said to them, you will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered. But after I’ve been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee, and so here Jesus is quoting an Old Testament prophet, old Testament prophecy, Zechariah 13:7, but eager to show his love for Peter, excuse me, for Jesus.

Peter responds in verse 33 and says, But Peter said to him, even though all may fall away from you, I will never fall away. Now. Peter’s statement’s a boast. It’s based on his love for Jesus, which is considerable, his earthly strength and not really knowing what’s ahead, you know, this reminds us of Jesus statement to James and John In Matthew 20, verse 22, are you able to drink of the cup that I’m about to drink? Peter was about to find out because Jesus responded in verse 34, Matthew 26 and says, Truly, I say unto you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.

Stung by Jesus statement, Peter responds. He said to him, even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you, and all the disciples notice, all the disciples said the same thing. They jumped on the bandwagon.

Nevertheless, they all left Jesus.

You know, the Luke account of this interchange is even a little bit more interesting. Beginning in Luke 22, verse 31, Jesus said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.

Satan was going to be allowed to sift Peter like wheat that evening, and we can expect that Satan will demand, probably already has demanded, to sift each one of us as Wheat as well. But Jesus continues and said, but I prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and you, once you’ve been turned again, strengthen your brothers. You know, the Lord provides us grace to help in times like this trial that was coming up for Peter, but we need to request it.

You know, he does not allow the trial to overwhelm us, but provides a way of escape. As we read in First Corinthians 10:13, we especially like the way Phillips translates this. No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it.

But Jesus said to Peter, excuse me, but Peter said to Jesus in this experience back in the Garden of Gethsemane, lord, with you I am ready both to go to prison and to death, and, and Jesus said to him, peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied me three times.

You know, there’s something interesting that takes place in the garden of Yosemite when Jesus and the 11 are confronted by Judas and the mob. John 18 and verse 10. We’re told then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malus.

You know, Peter was willing to fight for Jesus. I imagine the disciples in that garden were outnumbered by Judas and the mob. They only had two swords, but Peter took one of them and he used it.

You know, Jesus said something interesting to pilate in John 18:36. He says, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not of this realm. Well, Peter’s thought was that Jesus kingdom was of this realm.

That’s all he knew at that point, and he was fighting.

To save his master and bring that king. You know, we tend to be hard to sometimes I think an apostle Peter, but he was honoring the commitment that he had made, perhaps in the wrong way to lay down his life for Jesus, but that’s what he did, and while we may be criticized Peter for that, he was the only one of those 11 that lived up to that, tried to live up to that commitment, you know, after Jesus had been taken to customary, John and Peter attempted to follow and observe the trial of Jesus from afar. We’re told in Matthew 26:58 but Peter was following him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest and entered it and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

Why did Peter and John take the risk? Because they Love Jesus.

Matthew 26:67 Excuse me. 69 and 70. Now Peter was sitting outside the courtyard and a servant girl comes to him and said, you too were with Jesus of Galilee, and Peter denies it before them all, saying, I do not know what you’re talking about. Then verse 71 and 72, when Peter had gone out into the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to those who were there, this man was with Jesus of Nazareth.

And again he denied it with a note, I do not know the man. So Peter has twice been accused being with Jesus.

And finally, in Matthew 26, verses 73, 75. A little later, the bystanders come and said to Peter, surely you two are one of them, because you talk. Your talk gives you away, and then he began to curse and swear, and I don’t know the man, and immediately the rooster crowed.

Peter remembered what Jesus had said before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times, and he went out and he whipped barely.

He was sifted as wheat, just as Jesus had told him.

Just like when he walked on the sea towards Jesus, Peter had taken his eyes off of Jesus, steady depended on his own strength and was it was not enough to pass the test. But in Peter’s defense, you know, his desire to be near Jesus exposed him to a risk that none of the other disciples except John were willing to take.

Now, despite his denial of Jesus, Peter had not been cast off because remember, Jesus had given him a hint in his prophecy in Luke 22:32. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and you, when once you’ve been turned again, strengthen your brothers. Peter would be responsible for strengthening the brethren, and he made a special appearance on the day of his resurrection. We’re told in Luke 24:34, the Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon. But Peter would need more encouragement.

And Jesus provided that when he appeared to the apostles on the shores of Galilee three times while on the shore, Jesus questioned Peter, simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? And each time Jesus calls him Simon, saying listener rather than Peter as rock.

Third time Jesus asks if Peter even has filial love for him rather than agape love.

And when he did this, it’s recorded for us in John 21:17, when Jesus said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me. Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, do you love me? And he said, lord, you know all things. You know that I. Peter was grieved that Jesus would question his love, and while he Filio loved Jesus, once he received the Holy Spirit, that love would become agape love.

At Pentecost, things significantly changed in the life of Peter. We read in Acts 2, verses 1 through 4. When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together, and suddenly there was this came from heaven, a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting, and there appeared to them tongues of fire distributing themselves.

And they rested on each one of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, other languages, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. The promised helper, the Holy Spirit, was being poured on the apostles, bringing a big change in their lives as well as Peters. Once Peter was enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we see a remarkable change in his life. His. His love for Jesus did not change.

But what had changed is that God’s Holy Spirit was now steering Peter’s love and his impulsiveness in a more spiritual direction.

As a result of the outpouring of the Spirit, a crowd gathers, you know, and some are mocking the brethren as being drunk, and who is it that stands up? Peter.

He stands up without hesitation, without prompting, unafraid, and explains what happened, quoting the words of the Prophet Joel, Acts 2, beginning with verse 14. But Peter raised his voice and declared to them, men of Judah and all you who are in Jerusalem, let it be known to you, and give heed to my words. But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel, and it shall be that in the last days God said that I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and daughters shall prophesied, and even on my bond, servant slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Peter’s Statement continues. Verse 22. Men of Israel, listen to these words. Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know. So he wasn’t giving them new information.

This man delivered over by the predetermined, planned and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of Godless men and put him to death.

Peter’s not frightened.

Peter preaches Christ boldly blaming the audience for Jesus death.

But he continues But God raised him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for him to be held in its power. Peter blames the audience for Jesus death, but says God has overruled their mistake and has risen, has raised Jesus from the dead.

Continuing, he says, this Jesus God raised again, to which we are all witnesses, and therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God ahead, have ever received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit. He has poured it forth. This which you have both seen and hear. So Peter is basically assigning the miracle to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the man that they had approves, whose death.

Therefore, in verse 36, it says, Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain God has made him both Lord and Christ. This Jesus whom you have crucified.

Quite a statement.

These were not supporters of Jesus he was talking to. These came to sort of mock, and he said, you killed the Messiah. The Messiah we’ve been waiting hundreds of years for you killed.

And what happened? The crowd was pierced in their hearts. They asked Peter what they should do, and he says in verse 38, repent each one of you and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will give.

Received the gift of the holy spirit, and 3,000 accepted Peter’s invitation and were baptized that day.

In conclusion, what lessons can we gather from this little review of the life of the apostle Peter? Perhaps more than any other quality, Peter loved Jesus so much that he left all to follow Jesus. Refused to leave Jesus when Jesus said it was something that was hard to understand.

Walked on water in the middle of a storm to be with Jesus. Tried to dissuade Jesus from going to die, did not leave when Jesus called him Satan. Was first to say Jesus was the Messiah. Defended Jesus with a sword and wanted to be near Jesus at the end. You know, more than anything else, this love carried Peter through the trials he faced prior to Pentecost and the remainder of his Christian one.

This love started out as filial, but grew into agape following Pentecost. It led to Peter’s zeal in serving Jesus. It led to Peter’s faith in Jesus. It led to Peter to never let go of the Master, and it carried Peter through all the ups and downs of his Christian walk, all the trials, all the mistakes.

And so perhaps this is the greatest lesson that we can learn from the example of the apostle Peter. Consuming love for Jesus and by extension, for his heavenly Father will carry us through all the difficulties of our Christian walk and help us gain the victory first. Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him, and though you did not see him, now but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy, inexpressible and full of glory. How thankful we are for the record of Peter’s life, whose love led him to victory.

And shows us that we have an opportunity to love Jesus the Master just as much as he did.

And it is our prayer for each one of you that you would love Jesus as much as Peter did.

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