The Road He Chose: Pebble or Rock?

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14: 37-38

When we first meet Peter, his name is Simon. Simon is a Hebrew name that means to listen. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. The Greek word for Peter is Pétros – a stone (pebble), such as a small rock found along a pathway. Jesus wanted Peter to really listen so that he could be a stone pathway guiding others to Jesus the Petra or mass of rock.

Peter was introduced to Jesus by Andrew (John 1:40-42). Both were fishermen and both became believers in Jesus. It would seem that Peter initially believed in Jesus but kept his day job. Then Jesus helped him “with such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” (Luke 5:4-11) Instead of allowing this career win to fuel pride, Peter recognized who gave the increase humbled himself, and fell at Jesus' feet. Peter’s heart was in a place of repentance and worship. He immediately left everything and followed Jesus, but he had to get out of his boat first. What boat are you clinging to that is keeping you from being close to Jesus?

Peter followed Jesus and became one of the twelve disciples and Jesus equipped them to do the new job that He gave them.

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1

Jesus will not leave you to handle everything on your own. He equips us with the Holy Spirit to help us follow Him and do what He has called us to do.

Peter witnessed Jesus do many miracles and became a close friend. After Jesus fed the 5,000, He sent the disciples on a boat ride. Once again Peter was in a boat without Jesus. He was not fishing this time but was using it for transportation. Jesus came to them walking on water. When Jesus was at a distance, they did not recognize Him. They thought He was a ghost. If we don’t stay close to Jesus, it is harder for us to recognize Him too. But Peter did not give up. Matthew 14:28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Peter got out of the boat and walked on water until he took his eyes off of Jesus and allowed the waves/storm to cause him to doubt. But Jesus was close enough to reach out and lift him up. Are you close enough to Jesus for Him to reach out and lift you up?

Peter stayed close to Jesus but he didn’t fully understand Jesus. He still doubted that Jesus had to die for us and was bold enough to tell Jesus that He would not suffer and die.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16: 22-23

Peter did not understand. He, like us too often, had merely human concerns. He was still thinking of human concerns around the fire during Jesus’ trial. He denied knowing Jesus, but a rooster reminded Him of Jesus’ words.

Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:74-75

Once again Peter was humbled and repented. He had told Jesus during the Last Supper to wash all of him not just his feet. He knew that he needed to be all in but his flesh was weak. But Jesus didn’t leave him in his weakness. At Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and Peter boldly preached to the crowd.

Peter went on to lead many others to Christ. Peter had highs and lows on his road following Jesus. He got into trouble when he did not stay close to Jesus and watch and pray. Only when he remembered Jesus’ words and teachings was he brought back to Jesus. It is the same with us on our road. When we wander from Jesus and do not keep a close relationship with Him, we too will start to sink into the mire of the world. We need to stay close through reading His Word and prayer so that He can catch us when we sink. We are all sinners, but Jesus will guide us and direct us if we turn back to Him.