Storm the Gates of Hell
Peter is often viewed as the leader of the apostles. He regularly risked his life for the Christian mission, that is until he understood the Christian mission involved the death of Jesus. As Jesus marched to His crucifixion, three times Peter denied that he was a follower of Christ. Peter defended Jesus when he believed He was going to establish an Earthly kingdom. However, he was ashamed of Jesus when he discovered God’s kingdom was actually a spiritual kingdom. Peter didn’t want to serve a crucified king. He wanted to rule with a military commander, a political leader. When Peter betrayed Jesus, He assumed they had lost. Why would he remain faithful to a dead movement?
Most leaders would see Peter’s betrayal as disqualification for future leadership, but that is not how Jesus responded. Most leaders recognize that putting this kind of person in a leadership position is an unwise, risky decision. Even so, Jesus chose Peter to lead the Christian church. Could Jesus see the future? Or did He simply choose to trust Peter, knowing his heart? Peter needed to renew his mind, to think of Heaven instead of Earth. Jesus recognized Peter’s teachable spirit and was patient through that process.
Matthew 16 describes a time that Jesus took His young male followers to an orgy in Caesarea Philippi. While they were there, Jesus asked His followers, “Who do you think I am,” and as usual, Peter was the first to respond.
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 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. 18 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.
Verse 17 reveals part of the reason Jesus chose Peter to lead the Christian church. Peter listened to God. He was open to hearing from and being led by the Spirit. He didn’t have all the answers, but he was willing to learn. He regularly failed, but He followed God.
When Jesus saved you, He knew you would screw up, and He saved you anyway. God uses screwed up people to lead His church. Welcome to the team.
When Jesus called Peter “blessed,” He knew Peter would deny Him.
On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.
Jesus knew Peter would betray Him, but He also knew what Peter would do after He denied knowing Jesus. After the rooster crowed three times, Peter was overwhelmed with regret.
Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.
When you feel guilt, thank God for that feeling. It reveals that the Holy Spirit is active in your life. It reveals that your heart has not become calloused. Feelings of guilt are evidence that your heart is alive, not spiritually dead.
After Peter did what he said he would never do, he was broken. Until he had an encounter with Jesus, who was cooking breakfast on a beach after the resurrection, Peter likely experienced extreme regret. While they were eating breakfast on the beach that morning, Jesus asked Peter a question similar to the question He asked when they were at Caesarea Philippi. Three times Jesus asked Peter about His heart. Jesus asked him, “Peter, do you love me?” And three times Peter replied, “Yes.” And three times, Jesus asked Peter to lead the church, to feed His sheep.
John 21:17 third time [Jesus] asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”
Jesus gave Peter a chance to repent three times, one for each betrayal. Peter renewed his mind. He traded his shame for faith. This set Peter up to become the great leader of the church that we know he was.
We see Peter again in the book of Acts preaching boldly about his faith in Jesus.
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
Recognize that Peter was inviting people to repent, to change their minds, to stop seeing the world from a worldly perspective, and to begin seeing the world from a Heavenly perspective.
And how many people were baptized? Three thousand: one thousand people for every betrayal, one thousand people for every confession.
By this time, Peter had reached a new level of faith. Peter had now accepted the fact that Jesus’ Kingdom was an eternal Kingdom, a Heavenly Kingdom. He was ready to give up his life in this world because He recognized His true home in Heaven. Eventually, Peter was killed for his faith. They crucified him upside down.
When someone challenges your faith in Jesus, will you deny Him or profess your undying loyalty to Him?
I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.
Does your citizenship in Heaven take precedence over your citizenship in earthly kingdoms? Is your faith in Jesus a small part of your life, or is it your identity?