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Tag Archives: Apostle Peter

The Ultimate “Compliment” That Peter Paid To Paul

19 Nov

There is a wonderful little insight that comes at the end of 2 Peter, and it has to do with how we come to know that the New Testament is the Word of God. Peter is discussing the Apostle Paul’s writings, and what he says is almost funny: “There are some things in them that are hard to understand…” Hah! Those who have tried to understand Romans 11 know just what he’s talking about. Take a look at the context…

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 2 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)

That last phrase almost seems a “throwaway” comment, except that nothing in the Bible is throwaway. So, when Peter says, “…as they do the other Scriptures,” he is saying something momentous. The Greek word Peter uses for “Scriptures” is “graphe” and it is what Bible scholars would call a technical term. In other words, whenever you see the word “graphe” in the New Testament, it always refers to the Old Testament. Always.

And to a Jew like Peter, Scripture, or as we know it, the Old Testament…was beyond compare. You see, Simon Peter was not using the word “Scripture” in the sense that we sometimes say other faiths have their scriptures, Muslims – the Koran, and Hindus, the Bhagavad Gita, etc. No, no, no. “Graphe” was a precious word to Peter and the other Apostles. So, with that said, do you see what Peter is doing? He is equating Paul’s writings with other parts of the Bible. He is saying that Paul wrote Scripture. Peter is saying that Paul wrote the Bible. Now, in some ways that should be no surprise to a Christian, because we are used to understanding the New Testament as the Word of God, but if you have ever wondered what they thought of one another’s writings, now you know.

The Apostle Paul does the same thing, only with another portion of the New Testament.  Paul writes to Timothy…

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:18 (ESV)

That first phrase about muzzling an ox is from Deuteronomy, so it’s no surprise that Paul refers to it as Scripture, but the second phrase is not found in the Old Testament, but in Luke’s Gospel (10:7).

So the New Testament writers were referring to one another’s writings as Scripture, and the early church, of course, followed course and did the same. It’s a fascinating little study, and one that gives me a measure of delight. I hope you too.

For Friday, November 20th: 1 John 1

 
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Posted by on November 19, 2015 in Uncategorized

 

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When the Morning Star Rises…

17 Nov

Satan’s tactic all the way back to the Garden of Eden has been to call into question the truthfulness of Scripture: “Has God said…?” – the question he has planted in the minds of believers again and again through the centuries.

So, when false teachers came amongst the Apostle Peter’s followers, they apparently followed the same Satanic strategy…and Peter rose to the defense. He began by reminding them of his life-changing experience on the Mount of Transfiguration:

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 (ESV)

And he said that this incredible experience powerfully confirmed the Scriptures…

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 2 Peter 1:19 (ESV)

We always do well to pay attention to the “prophetic word”, Peter’s terminology for the Scriptures. But take note of what he compares the Bible to…he says it is like a lamp shining in a dark place.

That’s what it feels like doesn’t it? The world is getting darker and darker, and shining the lamp of Scripture lights the way for us. Of course, we still stumble and fall often…for it is yet night.

But Peter says, the dawn is coming. The day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts, and at the deepest level possible…we will know.

These days we shine the flashlight of His Word to navigate through a very dark world, but on that day the bright Sun will shine, and night will be no more, and we will know. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we will know because we will see with the blazing light of midday that all we had hoped in  and all we had hoped for through the long night…was true.

For Wednesday, November 17th: 2 Peter 2

 
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Posted by on November 17, 2015 in Uncategorized

 

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The Best Way To Love Christ

02 Nov

When Jesus died, so did Peter’s dreams of ever making it right with his Lord. Can you imagine – letting someone down you loved so much and never wanted to disappoint? And so, with the cross came Peter’s final opportunity to have that last conversation, to tell Jesus how very sorry he was for denying him.

And then…the resurrection…a second chance.

So this was the mindset of Simon Peter when Jesus showed up on the shore one day, His third appearance after the resurrection. We don’t know all the details of those previous appearances, but from John 21, it doesn’t seem that Peter has had a chance to talk it all through. And he had likely replayed the denials over and over again in his mind – could’ve…should’ve…would’ve: his constant mantra, again and again. Now, finally, he would have a chance to stop, look Jesus in the eyes and say how sorry he was.

And what did he really want to tell Jesus – he really wanted to affirm his love for his Lord. “I know how this looks,” he would say, “but I really do love You. I really feel so sorry for all that I did.”

And then after breakfast, to Peter’s relief, Jesus approached him.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17 (ESV)

In this little exchange Peter gets an opportunity to express his heart, and Jesus leads him every part of the way. And that is where it gets interesting. You see, Peter clearly wants to proclaim his love for Christ, and yet it may seem hollow in light of his failure. So Jesus leads him, asking him the question three times, and hearing Peter’s response, telling him, “Feed my sheep (lambs),” two times, and, “Tend my sheep” once.

Love Christ By…

So, for the rest of us, if we want to express our love for Christ, we must shepherd those in our care. Love them by feeding them. One way a mother loves Christ is by feeding her children physically and spiritually. And a Pastor loves Jesus by faithfully giving people the Word of God and caring for their souls. For all Christians given the charge over or the responsibility for others – it is the way we show our love for Jesus. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and as a shepherd, his overriding concern is the care of His sheep.

How We Know This Is True

Aside from this passage, here’s how we instinctively know this is true: Would you like to know perhaps the best way to love me? Love and bless my children. There is not much in this world nearer and dearer to my heart. Bless them and you bless me. Hurt them and you hurt me.

And so, would you like to know the best way to love Jesus?

Feed His sheep.

For Tuesday, November 3: James 1

 

 
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Posted by on November 2, 2015 in Preaching, Shepherding, The Bible, Uncategorized

 

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How to Start a Religion

11 Feb

If you were getting ready to preach a sermon that would launch a religion, what would you say? Well, to begin with, I think wisdom would dictate including some practical and helpful teachings that everyone could apply to their lives – Oprah-like helpful would be the target. Along the way, you would want to tell how God spoke to you personally, for sure, to give some authenticity to the whole thing, the voice of God and all that.

But when Peter sets to the public square to announce the new religion which would be called for a time, the Way, he really only says one thing: Jesus, the guy you killed, is alive.

Now, you wouldn’t think that message would have much potency. There’s nothing in it about having a better marriage. Nothing in it about overcoming your nasty tendency to ____________. You don’t hear anything about a special message from God to Peter alone, or anyone else.

Nope, just resurrection…that’s it:

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Acts 2:32 ESV

And yet, that’s enough, isn’t it? In fact, it’s more than we could ever hope for. Far, far more.

Forget about special messages to individuals – if Jesus is alive, then there is a special message for all of us. It’s the Bible which He repeatedly cited and considered the Word of God. For if Jesus is alive, then this book is absolutely true. Think of that, and give glory to God.

If Jesus is alive, then the husband and wife in the struggling marriage can turn to Him in prayer to tap into His limitless wisdom and power and compassion.

If Jesus is alive, then there is hope for you and me to overcome any sin we long to overcome, because He has overcome the grave.

And best of all, if Jesus is alive, then my formerly hope-less life becomes hope-filled. For He has promised that all who follow Him will also live forevermore.

Come to think of it, I guess Peter makes a pretty good start in proclaiming Christianity. It’s so good, the Apostles will preach it all through the book of Acts; the resurrection will in fact become their main message from here on out.

In fact, this first sermon is so good, so unexpected, that you might think that the resurrection actually happened. You might in fact think…that this new faith called the Way was not man’s idea after all.

 

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 12: Acts 3

 
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Posted by on February 11, 2015 in Uncategorized

 

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The Day Peter Did Good

22 Jan

Talk about moments of highs and lows – the disciple Peter had them both.  In his lesser moments, sometimes he’s almost a comical figure, as in Matthew 17 where on the Mount of Transfiguration he starts babbling about setting up tents, and God the Father has to tell him to zip it.  But there are other good ones too.   The “command me to come to you on the water” from Matthew 14 comes to mind.  And then there is the time in Matthew 16:22, where he takes Jesus aside…and begins to rebuke Him.  I’ll bet he still gets teased for that in heaven.

And yet sometimes, he also did really well, didn’t he?  Matthew 16 not only tells the story of Peter’s foolish correction of Jesus, it also tells the story of his greatest triumph – recognizing Who Jesus of Nazareth was:

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:13 – 16 (ESV)

It was a glorious moment for Simon Peter, and yet Jesus says something very instructive for all of us immediately after his confession:

 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 16:13-17 (ESV)

Let’s not miss this, because sometimes a cursory reading of this section makes us think that Peter had quite the spiritual foresight. Nope. That’s not quite right.  Apparently, Simon Peter was not to be praised for his incredible insight.  Nor was he to be patted on the back for his surpassing knowledge of spiritual things.  No, Jesus just says he was…blessed.  Not blessed because he was so darn smart – but blessed because the Father had chosen to reveal Jesus’ identity to him.

Sorry Peter, you do need to own your failures, but even your greatest moment…was a total gift from God.  Kind of like all of our greatest moments too.

Tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd: Matthew 17

 
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Posted by on January 22, 2015 in Uncategorized

 

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