“…Jesus looked at him and said, ’So you
are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas (which means Peter or
rock).” John 1:42
Strengthen Your Sisters in Christ (Part
One) We meet every week. It’s a time to share,
encourage, pray and grow together in Christ. These girls are the ones I’ve
revealed to all the messy wounds and scars in my heart. We’ve learned that we
need each other in this journey of faith. It’s in the mutual sharing of life’s
stories and God’s redemptive work in them that encourages us in the midst of
our own trials.
The Apostle Peter has a story of
redemptive work in his life and one which he shared with others. Peter
was one of Jesus’ closest friends. When Jesus first met him, he told Peter that
his name would change from Simon to Peter because he would become “a rock.” To
become that “rock” though, Peter would have to go through an intense time of
trial and grief. Shortly before Jesus was arrested, he told Peter that he would
deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Jesus also said, “And
when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).
The Gospels tell us that Peter did deny
Jesus. After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter where he had gone to grieve, at
the lake where he always fished. He asked him three times if he loved him
and three times Peter said yes. In that moment, his relationship with
Christ was fully restored.
One thing that stands out to me in this
story is what Jesus told Peter to do after he went through his trial–to
strengthen his brothers. It was expected that Peter would use the
experience he went through to help others. Yet for Peter to use his
painful story to strengthen his brothers, he would have had to be transparent
about his trial. He would have had to tell his fellow disciples about how
he rejected Jesus. He would need to voice the shame he felt when Jesus
looked him in the eyes as the rooster crowed that third time. And then Peter
would need to share how Jesus healed and restored him on the shores of Galilee.
Peter did share his trial with his fellow disciples for each of the gospels
share about Peter’s denial. John gently records Peter’s restoration on
the sea shore. We know from the book of Acts that Peter went on to further
encourage the early church as he faithfully preached the gospel of Christ. He
became the stone that Jesus told him he would be. And he became that rock, not
out of his strength, but out of his brokenness.
…to be continued tomorrow.
Entry submitted by Bonnie White
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