A Glimpse in the Life of Peter

• Brought to Jesus by his brother Andrew (previously a follower of John the Baptist) (John 1:40-42)
• Occupation: fisherman, left to follow call to be "Fishers of Men" (Matthew 4:18-20)
• Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14)
• First to proclaim Jesus as Christ of God (Luke 9:18-20)
• Saw Jesus talk to Moses and Elijah on Mt of Transfiguration and requested to stay there (Luke 9:28-36)
• Temporarily Walked on Water with Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33)
• Attempted to resist Jesus from washing his feet (John 13:8-10)
• Boldly proclaimed he would die for Jesus (John 13:36-38)
• Attacked guard cutting off ear- Jesus rebuked him (Matthew 26:50-54)
• Followed Jesus at a distance and denied him three times that night- Ran away weeping bitterly (Matthew 26:34, 69-75)
• Ran to tomb news he has risen (Luke 24:12, John 20:1-9)
• Swam and embraced Jesus when seeing him after miracle of catching fish (John 21:7-14)
• Jesus reinstated Peter by asking him three times if he loved Jesus (John 21:15-19)
• Peter is told how he will die, then asked about John- was rebuked to not worry of such (John 21: 18-22)
• Became prominent leader and speaker after Pentecost boldly proclaiming Jesus to same people he denied Jesus to weeks before. (Acts 2:14-41)
• Acted hypocritical around Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-21)
• Was shown that Gospel is for Gentiles, not just Jews (Acts 10)
• Writes two letters to the scattered church/God's elect: (1 & 2 Peter)
• Died being crucified upside-down (Tradition)

Peter always acted and spoke before thinking. Thus the result of him walking on water (and nearly drowning when he looked away from Jesus), and boldly proclaimed he would die for Jesus (when instead he denied him three times). Yet something happened which made this lowly fisherman one of the greatest leaders and teachers in history. He lead the movement of the Church boldly proclaiming Christ's resurrection even to the point of death. Looking at his actions during his tenure with Jesus he would never do such especially when you consider his denial during Christ's trial and hiding after his death. How can a man filled with such fear suddenly turn around and boldly proclaim the very thing he couldn't weeks or even days before? The only conclusion is Jesus Christ resurrected. No man can or would live out such a lie to the point of death. Instead, he witnessed, spoke with, and even touched the resurrected Christ. He became the "Rock" whom Christ built the church on. Yet, even though Peter became this great leader through the Holy Spirit (Christ in us)- he still had his faults proving his humanity and showing that God can use anyone in his kingdom- not just the "perfect".

God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called.