If the Apostle Peter were an ice cream, he would’ve been Rocky Road. He traveled a rocky road just as you and I do to become the person God wanted him to be. And we all travel that same rocky road, but he would become the rock Jesus built his church upon.
This is a day when you and I are going to sit down with Peter and watch him go from hero to zero. You and I have had moments like that, haven’t we? We’ve been on a mountaintop and all of a sudden we are in the valley. We don’t even know how we got there, but life is a series of highs and lows. Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends. His life was no exception. So, take heart today. If you’re in a bit of a low because you’re not alone. You and I are always moving through the valleys of life.
Let’s kick things off in Matthew, chapter 16, verse 13.
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Transcription:
If the Apostle Peter were an ice cream, he would’ve been Rocky Road. He traveled a rocky road just as you and I do to become the person God wanted him to be. And we all travel that same rocky road, but he would become the rock Jesus built his church upon. How did that happen? Well, we’re going to explore that today as we continue our series on Peter this week on the Bible for Busy People. Hi, I’m Erica. I’m always so grateful for your company. This is a day when you and I are going to sit down with Peter and watch him go from hero to zero. You and I have had moments like that, haven’t we? We’ve been on a mountaintop and all of a sudden we are in the valley. We don’t even know how we got there, but life is a series of highs and lows. Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends. His life was no exception. So, take heart today. If you’re in a bit of a low because you’re not alone. You and I are always moving through the valleys of life. Think about what Psalm 23 says.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.
So the good shepherd is always taking us through. We’re always growing, always moving forward, and he never leaves our side. All right. We begin at a high point in Peter’s journey today. We’re going to start in Matthew chapter 16, beginning in verse 13.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, who do people say that the son of Man is? Well, they replied, some say John the Baptist. Some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
And I always picture them like hesitantly saying these things. They’re curious too. They want to know, is this the Messiah? Like are we eating breakfast and walking down these dusty roads with the son of God? You can hear the wonder in the curiosity in their questions. So, picking it back up in verse 15,
Then he asked them, but who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, you are blessed Simon, son of John, because my father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter, which means rock, and upon this rock I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
So, let’s pause for just a hot second here. We know Peter’s whole story. This was before the denial, but Jesus keeps his promise. Peter is named the rock before Jesus makes him the rock. Please hear that with me today. I’ve got chills right now, the good kind, because I’m thinking to myself about all of the times that I have failed. I know you have low points in your life too, and yet God sees who he’s created us to be. He loves us now and he loves us then. The love that he loves us with does not change based on what we do. It is unconditional, it is eternal, and that’s beautiful. All right, picking it up in verse 20,
Then he…
Jesus
…sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Okay? Now we’re going to go to a little bit of a low point in Peter’s life, but this is how it works, right? Okay. Verse 21.
From then on, Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day, he would be raised from the dead.
Okay? Here comes the low point.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. Heaven forbid Lord. He said, this will never happen to you. Jesus turned to Peter and said, get away from me, Satan. You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s. Then Jesus said to his disciples, if any of you want to be my follower, you must give up your own way. Take up your cross and follow me. If you try to hang onto your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the son of man will come with his angels in the glory of his father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the son of man coming in his kingdom.
So what can you and I take away from this low point in Peter’s life? He had just had this unbelievably high point where he was the one. He was the follower who was bold enough and confident enough to say, you are the Messiah, Lord. That’s who I say you are. And Jesus says, you’re the rock on whom I’m going to build my church. And then Peter quickly falls into doubt. He’s confused. How can you be the Messiah and die? It doesn’t make sense to him, but this is what I believe you and I can take away. Sometimes it’s easy to look at things from a human point of view. Why? We’re human. It’s understandable, but this is an opportunity today to look at that situation in your life and my life that doesn’t make sense from a human point of view, and look at it from God’s point of view. And maybe we’ll start looking at it differently from then on. Okay, I want to end our episode today with a few words from the rock that Peter would become. From his first letter in the Bible. First Peter chapter one, beginning in verse three,
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now, we live with great expectation and we have a priceless inheritance. An inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
Now, Peter’s looking at things from God’s perspective. Do you see the switch? Oh, I love this story. Okay, until next time, you are really loved.
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