Have you ever been disappointed by someone you trusted a lot? And have you ever been disappointed in yourself?
Good advice from a mother: 'Never forget, in this world trust is a precious treasure, a trustworthy person is a pearl of great price, without equal. Trust in yourself above all, you'll never regret it, you'll never be disappointed, you'll see." Unfortunately, this is not true. Sooner or later we will realize that we cannot trust 100% in anyone, not even ourselves, but Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter thought so too, until he denied Christ 3 times on the cross. He really messed up.
John 21:15-19
How did the apostle Peter feel when he said for the third time, "I do not know that man"? Moreover, that was the last time he saw Jesus, and then he died. Peter was in total shock. He had really messed up, and there was no time to sort it out.
Peter had many mistakes. That was his character, he inherited it from his parents. When I read this, I thought of myself as Peter. Although I did not literally deny Jesus, I disappointed him many times.
The good news: it doesn't matter to God what kind of character you inherit. Whatever your flaws, He wants to correct them, He wants to use you in His kingdom, and He wants you to become more like Jesus. This is what theology calls sanctification.
„And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
PETER
Let's talk about the apostle Peter. What kind of man was he and how did he come to deny Jesus? There is one quality that is very characteristic of Peter: He was always very determined and active, a typical leader who knew what needed to be done and did it. Perhaps it is not an exaggeration to say that he was an ALFA HEAD. This can be positive or negative, depending on who he is serving.
Positive examples
He gave his life completely to God. After the rich young man: „Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”” (Matthew 19:27 ESV) He was not a lukewarm believer. He left his job for the gospel and followed Jesus literally. If he were alive today, he would probably have many followers on Instagram and TikTok because his devotion is exemplary.
His determined, confident nature has led him to experience wonders. Peter was the ONLY ONE WHO WALKED ON THE WATER.
He received and delivered divine revelations. „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.” 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 16:15-17 ESV
In summary, Peter was a devoted follower of Jesus who had a good experience with God. But his confidence had a dark side that often got him into trouble, and which contributed greatly to his denial of Jesus.
Negative examples
Peter always knew everything better than anyone, including Jesus (Do you know him? Or are you like him sometimes?)
First fish catch: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”” (Luke 5:5 ESV) Peter thought, who is this migrant teacher who is interfering in fishing? I have been doing this all my life, what does this Jesus know about fishing? Peter didn't even understand that he was talking to the person who had TREATED the fish and the sea, and not only knew all about the fish, but knew him better than he knew himself.
Foot washing (John 13): 'You will never wash my feet. . . . Not my feet only, but my whole body."
The most shocking is when Jesus talks about his death and Peter "rebukes" Jesus. What he did was so wrong that Jesus yelled at him: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” (Matthew 16:23 ESV) Peter has been made a POWER OF DESTINY by his MAGABIZTOSSAS. Not long before he had received revelation from heaven, and now he is speaking the words of Satan.
Jesus knew Peter better than he knew himself, and knew he would deny it. Even then, Peter knew better. He claimed that he would not deny Jesus. “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”” Matthew 26:33 ESV
In summary, Peter was so confident that he trusted himself more than he trusted God. He thought he could do everything in his own strength, and that was a big mistake. Cursed is the man who trusts in men (even if it is himself), and blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. Maybe you are one of those people who think you can do everything and trust yourself absolutely. Today's scripture tells you not to! Confidence is good, but only if it is after God, not before Him. Be careful, because you cannot live a faithful life by human power, only by the power of God.
When Peter denied Jesus the third time, something happened that is very important in the story. Their eyes met.
„And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:61-62 ESV
Here something is happening to Peter. He finally comes face to face with HIMSELF. In the mirror of Jesus' wonderfully clear eyes, he sees his own faults and no longer covers them up, no longer makes excuses, but is completely broken. He comes to true repentance. And he is very, very disappointed in himself.
GOD'S RESTORATIVE WORK
The 2nd deja vu was next to the smouldering fire in the morning. Not long ago Peter was in a similar situation in the court of the high priest when he denied Jesus three times. Jesus starts the conversation like a good father. As if to say: come on Peter, let's have a talk. Perhaps Peter was expecting a head-scratching, "See, I told you. You denied me 3 times, you're not fit to be my disciple." But it doesn't matter to Peter, the only thing that matters is that he's with his master.
How astonished he was when Jesus asked him, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" In the Greek, it is not clear what Jesus means by these: the love of the other disciples, or the fisherman's way of life, or something else. I think Jesus is asking if Peter loves Him more than the other disciples, since that is what He asserted before the crucifixion:
„Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”” Matthew 26:33 ESV
He denied it 3x, he had to confess 3x that he loved Jesus. Here the 3rd Greek verb (phileo) is different from the first two (agapao), but I don't think this is important because they were speaking Aramaic and the two Greek verbs are often used interchangeably.
Peter was saddened, probably then it struck him how serious this question was, and that Jesus expected an honest answer.
And it was enough for Jesus that Peter loved him, even if NOT PERFECTLY, BUT LOVELY Not only did He forgive Peter, but He restored him to Christian pastoral (leadership) ministry. And we know that this ministry was successful. Today, a business leader, and even many believers, would say that Jesus was wrong. How can a man who has denied it 3 times be a leader? A dog will not make bacon. But it will, with Jesus, it will. I too have many failures (Judith knows best), and I am not a pastor because I am better than others, but because God chose me to be one and changed my life. He qualifies me for ministry, He only asks one thing, TO LOVE HIM, which means I try to keep His commandments, I try to obey like a loving father to a child. This is the process of character development, this is how we become more like Christ.
History has proven that Jesus was not wrong, Peter was the right choice. Pentecost, Holy Spirit, conversions, one of the leaders of the church, Tradition says: Quo vadis, martyrdom: I am not worthy to die like my Savior, crucified upside down. Peter, full of himself, no longer thinks of himself, no longer wants to lift himself up, but Jesus, who died in his place on the cross.
ALKALMAZÁS
Maybe you can identify with the apostle Peter today. You feel you have a lot of faults and you are very often spoiling your Christian life. You think that God cannot use you in this way because your character is very far from the character of Jesus.
However, the good news is that in this story we have seen that Jesus not only forgives Peter, but also changes him and puts him to work. God can use everyone, including you. What does it take? Who can God use?
God can use broken people who are aware of their own weaknesses and trust not in themselves, but in the Lord who can make us fit for service. It is not the same whether someone is HONEST or HONEST.
God uses those who love Him. Interesting that Jesus did not ask Peter, do you have a theological degree? Do you have leadership experience? Do you have a vision for the future? Do you know how to use Excel? No, Jesus asked one question 3X: do you love me? That was the most important question for him before he put him into ministry. Why? Because all other motivations for ministry are false. Service is not pleasing to God for those who want to serve out of interest, power, or the itch to be seen. The only right motivation is love.