Posts Tagged ‘Peter’
Scripture reading for September 15th: Galatians 2:1-16
After fourteen years, Paul the apostle went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus to share his revelation of the Gospel with those who had walked with Jesus. He did this privately so that he could receive correction, if necessary. This was done in response to a revelation and false teachers who were trying to add to his Gospel some of the Jewish laws.
After sharing his Gospel that he preached to the Gentiles with Peter, James, and John, they gave him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. (Galatians 2:6-10) These pillars of the church recognized that God’s grace flowing through Paul towards the Gentiles was the same as Peter’s for the Jews and added nothing to his message, only encouraging Paul to remember the poor. This encouraged Paul and his traveling companions. There is wisdom in the elders through the Spirit that keeps the Gospel message pure.
However, sometime later, Peter visited Antioch where Paul was a teacher. “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. but when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray.” (Galatians 2:11-13) Paul was watchful about division and favoritism and noticed Peter drawing back from his usual openness to the Gentiles. He was living in fear of those Jews who held onto the law and was trying to appease them.
This was causing division so Paul confronted Peter to his face. “I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 2:15-16) Paul knew that trying to add law to faith would pollute the power of the Gospel and cause division in the church. The law could not save anyone, only bring condemnation! Only faith in Jesus Christ would set men free! Thank God today for justification by faith alone!
Scripture reading for November 5th: John 18-21
When you are in a covenant relationship with someone, it is always good to affirm our love for that person. We go through seasons when the relationship may be strained or drifting rather than passionately connected. We go through personal trials and attacks of Satan that seek to knock us off our vows of commitment. Today we will consider Peter, one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples who denied Jesus three times after His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:22-27)
We don’t know exactly how long after the resurrection that the account in John 21 takes place. Peter and a number of the disciples had decided to go fishing in the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). They fished all night and by morning had nothing to show for. As they were approaching shore, Jesus stood there and called out to them. They told Him that they had no fish but didn’t recognize Him as the Lord. He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, they were unable to haul their net into the boat because of the great number of fish! John recognized Jesus at that point and told Peter it was Him. Peter immediately jumped into the water and came to Jesus, who had built a fire with fish already cooking and some bread for the tired fishermen. John’s account states that this was the third time Jesus appeared to them.
After Jesus served them the meal, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and asked him a question. “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15) This was repeated three times in similar fashion. Peter’s feelings were hurt because Jesus asked him this three times. (John 21:17) Jesus made a statement of prophecy to Peter about how he would die to glorify God and then called Peter to follow Him.
Jesus wants us all to affirm our love for Him on a daily basis. We can tell Him we love Him and that is well and good. Actions also show our love for Jesus. In Peter’s case, he was called to feed the lambs and sheep. A shepherd must care for the animals, and a pastor is a shepherd! Feeding lambs and sheep requires daily discipline and tender care. We must follow the ‘Good Shepherd” in order to properly feed and care for His sheep! They are His sheep, not ours! Love for Jesus is demonstrated by obedience!
A final thought concerns Peter’s death. Tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. He chose that because he felt unworthy to die as his Lord Jesus had! Peter’s life and death brought glory to God! We must live in obedience to the Lord! “To live is Christ, to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:21)