Hope For Peter, Hope For You

“Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” -Luke 24: 12

Peter is one of two of my favorite disciples. Peter was real. What you saw was what you got. There was nothing hypocritical about him. He’s predictable. I like predictable people. He made all sorts of mistakes, but Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Peter was used greatly for the Kingdom of God. However, it took time for him to “grow up,” if you will, but he possessed something very important, a teachable spirit.

Let’s look at his life. He was impulsive and immature in many things he did. Being the Chief Executive Officer of Learning Disabilities Worldwide and the many books I have authored and co-authored on the subject of mind, intelligence, and learning, I would say that man had attention deficit disorder (ADHD); he had all the symptoms. I’m in no way being disrespectful of Peter. I admire Peter because he loved Jesus with all his heart, and in the end, he did what Jesus asked. Remember after the resurrection Jesus appeared to him and asked him three times, “Peter do you love me?” Jesus already knew he did. So why ask? I believe for two reasons.

First, Peter had denied knowing him three times out of fear for his life. In the verse above he and John ran to the tomb to see what Mary Magdalene was talking about Jesus not being there. John ran out ahead and beat Peter to the tomb. However, John did not go inside the tomb. Guess who did? Peter. Peter ran right in. What a contrast from fear to fearless, but that was Peter. He acted first and thought later. Peter had to learn to control himself before he became one of the greatest leaders in the church. “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” God’s transformation of Peter is why he’s one of my favorite disciples. He was a writer, and I identify with writers. He wrote two epistles.

Peter wasn’t always so knowledgeable, meaning he didn’t write anything until after Jesus’ death. Peter had lessons to learn. Peter was not there when Jesus was hanging on the cross. He was hiding in fear. He wasn’t there awake when Jesus asked them to pray. He left Jesus whom he loved alone sweating blood, while he fell asleep. He cut off the ear of one of the soldiers, (Showing his inability to think before acting). Twice he jumped into the water because he wasn’t properly dressed when Jesus appeared to him, once before his crucifixion and once again after the resurrection. He even challenged Jesus by asking to walk on water. It was his fear that stopped him from reaching Jesus. When Jesus tells him of his fate, he asked, “What about John, how is he going to die?” He didn’t ask out of concern.

However, you see, Peter possesses something really important, leadership. Peter was a thinker. He asked questions. As much as he was afraid, he still showed times of fearlessness. I have a child like that, Ellianna. Knowing my own daughter very well, I can predict with 100 percent accuracy what she will do in every situation. I find myself saying to her, “Ellianna, greatness is in you. Remain teachable and listen to godly people.” She’s exceptional. She’s very wise at a very early age.

Secondly, he needed to be restored. Peter was hurting really badly after he denied Jesus. In fact, for the rest of his life he couldn’t hear a roaster cluck. Jesus’ love towards Peter was real and deep. Jesus knew the heart of Peter. I talk about the intent of the heart. It’s the heart that reveals the true character of a person. Peter has a real heart for Jesus. He made all these mistakes, but he loved Jesus and did what Jesus asked. “feed my sheep.”

Please see this carefully. His greatest weakness became his greatest strength. The man who almost drowned because of fear, and the man who denied Christ because of fear in the end became a great leader because he was not afraid to make decisions. He needed to learn to act in a godly manner. Catch this very carefully. This why Jesus gave him the keys to his success. Jesus didn’t say, “You denied me.” He ignored that and went straight for the heart of the matter. Satan tried to sift him. Jesus came to his rescue and restored. It's just like our Lord to undo the evil by elevating him to his rightful place of leadership.

If there was hope for Peter, then there’s great hope for you and me. We need two things. First, we need a teachable spirit, and second, we need a real love for Jesus. We live in a sin-filled world, and we are going to sin. However, we are not excused for ungodly actions and behaviors. We have the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. We have no excuses. He warns us when we are off course.

I have counseled countless people. God has always told me the outcome of each person He led me to counsel. Many times I hoped I was wrong, and I worked hard to help them with countless hours of counseling, praying, fasting, using everything in my power to help them to no avail. Even when God showed me the outcome, I still tried my hardest to push, plead, explain, etc.

Judas was also a disciple. Jesus knew the hearts of His disciples. Jesus never went to Judas. He died by hanging himself and went to hell. Jesus came back to restore Peter and proclaim he was going to build his church using Peter. What a contrast!

Be teachable, think before you act, be humble, repent, and love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. Then, you will achieve greatness. Your degree, knowledge, and impulsivity will get you nowhere. It’s all about the heart.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the Greatest Instructor. As I come daily into Your presence, help to know and learn how to always be teachable. Help me to know Your will and Your ways. Light the path before me as I hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

#TopicArticle #heart #decisions #choices #impulse #selfcontrol #knowledge