While studying the relationship between Peter and Jesus, I have often wondered why John the beloved thought highly of himself as the most loved by Jesus. Everywhere, he quoted himself as the one whom Jesus loved. In my Bible school, I have questioned this. I had thought that Peter should claim this, judging by his boldness and exuberance.
Having studied Peter and Jesus, i found out that the transformation of Simon, a Galilean fisherman, to Peter, leader of a religious movement prepared to challenge and defy the Jewish and Roman authorities, is a story of grace and enduring power. This has provided hope and inspiration for Christians throughout the ages.
What made him stand out was the grace of God. Can you imagine? Peter once publicly displayed his love for Jesus. When the Master talked of his death, Peter told Jesus to His face that no one could take Him from them, or kill Him. In fact, he went farther by cutting off the ear of one of the blokes who came to arrest Jesus. But when the crunch came, thrice he denied Jesus. In fact, he was nowhere to be found to take possession of Jesus body after the crucifixion. Indeed, the closest person to you would run in the days of trouble.
But after Jesus rose from the dead, it was to this same Peter He went. If you ask me, if i were Jesus, i would not go to that wet blanket. He disappointed me. He denied me. Thrice! I would go to John or Thomas. Or Andrew. Tell me, by human reasoning, Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Him. THREE GOOD TIMES! Babanla offence! I beg, Peter and Judas are birds of a feather! But Praise God that Jesus had prayed for Him. That was grace.
Don’t also forget that before Jesus showed Himself at the pool of Tiberias, it was this same Peter who commandeered some of the disciples to go fishing. For Peter, Jesus was dead. Ministry don end. But it was to this same Peter Jesus went to drop the mantle of the ministry. Jesus’ concern and love for Peter is shown in his post-resurrection conversation in John 21. He took time to reinstate Peter and demonstrated forgiveness. Thrice Jesus asked him, do you love me. Jesus was gently forcing a threefold declaration of His love that mirrored Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus.
This is what we call grace: Jesus qualifying the unqualified. Jesus passing the failed. Jesus giving power to the powerless. Grace is God’s unmerited favour. It is kindness from God we don’t deserve. There is nothing we have done, nor can ever do to earn this favour. God makes funny choices. If He was waiting for the perfect to be used, He would find nobody.
It was this same Peter that stood and made that famous speech at the inauguration of the Church on the day of Pentecost …the same Peter who was scared to identify with Jesus some 55 days before. He told all Jerusalemites that they killed the King of Glory, who has risen again. Since that day, his life was not the same again. That was grace.
I pray that the grace that transformed Simon to Peter, the rustic fisherman at the sea of Galilee to a friend of Jesus and Church leader, the grace that destroyed the yoke of three-times denial of our Lord, may that grace be available to us today. May we walk in favour. May we see favour in all our ways. When casting down is imminent, may we be lifted up by that supernal grace of our Lord. Now and forevermore. Amen.