When Peter first met Jesus, Jesus told him that his name would henceforth be changed from Simon to Peter (Jn. 1:42). Peter is the Greek version of the Aramaic name, Cephas, which means “stone” or “rock.” But Peter’s life with Jesus was not always steady and strong.
Today, we’ll be reminded that God can redeem our moments of doubt and give us purpose despite our failures.
About Peter
Simon Peter was in the prime of his life when he answered Jesus’ call to follow him. He was well established in Capernaum, was a married man, and ran a sizable fishing cooperative on the Sea of Galilee. But his journey of following Jesus was a mix of faith & failure.
Peter’s life demonstrated that Jesus named Peter the rock, not for what he was at that moment, but for what he would become.
A Series of Ups and Downs
- When he witnessed his first miracle by Jesus, Peter fell to his knees and asked Jesus to go away because he was filled with guilt over his sins, yet Peter would become the leader of the apostles (Lk 5:8).
- When Jesus walked on the water, Peter wanted to join him. At first, he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus but was soon distracted by the wind and began to sink. Jesus saved him from drowning, asking Peter, “why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:30).
- Peter is the one who declared that Jesus is the Messiah (Lk 9:18). He watched as Jesus was transfigured into his heavenly glory (Lk 9:28-30). Yet, he also denied being associated with Jesus after he was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane (Mt. 26:69-75).
- Peter was not present at the crucifixion and death of Jesus. And When Mary Magdalene told Peter that Jesus was resurrected, he ran to the tomb to see for himself (Lk. 24:12).
In their final meeting, Jesus appeared to Peter post-resurrection on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and restored his relationship with him (Jn. 21:15-19).
Becoming the foundation of the church.
At times, Peter was impulsive. And he had moments full of fear. Yet in the decades following Jesus’ resurrection, Peter emerged as a pillar of the early church (Ac. 2, 3:11-26, 10, 11, 15).
Peter, like all Christians, modeled an imperfect faith. He loved and adored Jesus, was faithful to him, yet also clearly had his moments of doubt about Jesus.
As his faith took root, he emerged as the rock Jesus knew he would become.
Put it into practice.
I love how Peter is an example of a dynamic faith, growing not in a straight line but a series of ups and downs.
Next time you struggle with your faith, think of the wonderfully imperfect Peter and his journey with Jesus.
Hold on to the reality that you are becoming exactly what Jesus has determined for you.
