Lessons of Simon Peter

“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?… Feed my sheep (John 21:16).” When Jesus asked Simon Peter three times to feed his sheep, it got our attention. Jesus never did anything by accident, so surely he had a good reason for making these three requests, and for placing so much attention on Simon Peter: but what was it? Throughout the generations priests have tried to answer this question, however their findings have always left believers feeling somewhat less than satisfied. Could there possibly be anything left to discover concerning this mysterious calling?

The character of Peter is typical of many Christians, and the challenges that he faced are the same challenges that believers struggle with today. Peter was a leader (Mark 1:36). True to his character, Peter was the first disciple to staunchly state before all the other disciples: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).” Therefore, Jesus boasted upon him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:17-18).”

However, secretly within himself, Peter did not accept Jesus' position as Lord of all. This inner confidentiality was revealed by of Peter's unwillingness to submit himself to the words which Jesus spoke. For example, listen to the sting of Peter's words when he said unto Jesus, “Thou shalt never wash my feet (John 13:8).” Another revealing moment happened when Jesus had just finished prophesying details about his own death to his disciples (Luke 9:22). Peter spoke up and rebuked Jesus, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” And Jesus' answer unto Peter would forever decry Christianity: “Get behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men (Matthew 16:23).” If, and when, believers truly know that Jesus is Lord, they submit themselves to the authority his word. Peter had revealed before all the other disciples that he did not consider himself to be at all inferior to Jesus, in fact, he considered himself equal with Jesus, and he demonstrated this belief by declaring that some of the things which Jesus spoke were not going to happen. After Peter had challenged Jesus' authority, Jesus turned and looked upon the other apostles, and he delivered that offensive rebuke of Peter: for Peter, the rock which had just testified before all of them saying that he believed that Jesus was God's Christ; Peter lacked confidence in Jesus.

Outwardly, Peter flaunted great confidence in Jesus. “Though I should die with thee, yet I will not deny thee (Matthew 26:35).” But it was a superficial confidence that waned quickly. Peter watched as the lamb that he thought might be the Messiah, went before the authorities without resistance. There was nothing that Peter could do, but wait and see what would happen (Matthew 26:58). While he was watching and waiting, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times: and then he remembered Jesus' words. "Even this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice (Mark 14:30)." Peter wept, because he perceived the reality of Jesus, and because he came to realize his own shortcomings. “I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he (John 13:19).” Jesus had revealed himself to Simon Peter by prophesying details that directly involved Peter. When those details came true, Peter knew without any doubt that Jesus was indeed, the Christ child, the Messiah, the son of the living God. We, as believers, have the same weaknesses that Peter had, and God knows it to be true. When believers see and know that the prophecies which concern them are coming true, it will increase in their faith, and they too will stand up mightily for the Lord, just as Peter did. 

But the true meaning behind those three mysterious requests for Peter to feed Jesus' sheep, came after Jesus' ascension: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (Luke 22:32).” Conversion is the act of turning from your current beliefs, in order to do the will of the Father. “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat (Acts 10:13).” Through visions upon a housetop, God directed Simon Peter to go to the home of a gentile. Jewish believers considered gentiles to be an unaccepted nation, and their homes were off limits to the Jews, so by following God's prompting Peter was breaking away from the traditional rules and beliefs of his own people, as well as from Jesus' own instructions (Matthew 10:5-6). By faith Peter taught the gentiles about Jesus, and he watched and witnessed as the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them (Acts 10:45; Luke 2:32). It took courage, confidence, and obedience, to overcome his fears and doubts, and to follow God's instructions. Peter was converted, for he was truly set free from the laws and traditions of his own religious beliefs! 

When Peter was returned, he went to his fellow believers, and he fed them understanding by convincing them that God had granted salvation to the gentiles. "When thou art converted strengthen the brethren (Luke 22:32)." "They held their peace, and glorified God (Acts 11:18)." “Christ is the end of the law of righteousness to every one that believeth (Romans 10:4).” The apostles listened to Peter, and not only because Peter modeled obedience, but because his words agreed with scripture. "I will give thee... for a light to the gentiles (Isaiah 42:6)."

By the very definition of the word, elder, Peter automatically assumed the role of being an elder to the gentile church (Acts 15:2; 15:7; 1Peter 5:1). While he was serving in this capacity, Peter made food for today's believers, for he wrote valuable lessons which can safely guide Jesus' followers, even today. One significant lesson that Peter taught the followers of Christ, concerns their need to be receptive and submissive to God's voice through the voices of other believers (1Peter 5:5). Peter knew about this need, first hand, because not only had he experienced it through his own shortcomings in following Jesus, but also because of the times wherein, he, being filled with the holy Spirit, had spoken God's word, and message to others. Lessons concerning submissiveness are important lessons for end times, because end time understanding will be spread through the voices of believers that have submitted themselves to the answers of prophecy, as well as to the authority of God's word (1Timothy 5:17; 1Corinthians 16:16). This is God's way, for God declared that he would exalt the people of low degree, and that he would destroy the wisdom of the wise (Luke 1:52; James 1:9; 1Corinthians 1:19). Believers who submit themselves, and receive instruction and counsel from one another, are without confusion, because they have God's word as their final authority, and because they have the Holy Spirit which testifies truth to their souls (Acts 5:32; 1Peter 2:6). Scripture interprets scripture, which means that every accurate interpretation of prophecy is provable, for every accurate interpretation has evidence that backs it up (Romans 16:25-26; Isaiah 28:9-13). “No prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation (2Peter 1:20).”

Every false and misguided notion that Peter ever had, he laid down, and he went and fed Jesus's sheep. Peter fed the gentiles with understanding, as well as the apostles, and he is still feeding believers today. So by asking Peter three times to feed his sheep, Jesus caused believers to acknowledge the three different ways in which Peter was called to minister to Jesus' followers. Yet, could there still be a deeper purpose for all this attention? Further evidence as to the purpose for making these three requests is written in the words which appear immediately following Jesus' requests. Before considering this evidence, it is beneficial to know that the words "what death he should glorify God" actually pertain to the laying down of one's life, in order to heed the call of the Lord. “Simon, son of Jonas, loves thou me? ...Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When you wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. When he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me (John 21:18-19).” This evidence is implying that Peter would be chosen to break away from tradition, and to minister to a people that were esteemed unclean. This is the true reason for Jesus' three requests, because this is the hidden and discrete knowledge that will help edify today's believers.

Let's look at another verse which prophesy's an important lesson concerning this type of selflessly laying down one's life in order to lead others into the knowledge of truth: “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom (Matthew 16:28).” Jesus was indicating that there, were, and are, followers of his that have not laid down their lives in this type of selfless obedience, but Jesus was also indicating that they will lay down their lives when they see and know that the revealed truths of prophecy are coming true. When Jesus spoke these prophetic words, Peter was among those that stood by, and Peter was a believer that had not yet tasted of death. After Christ was manifested to Peter, Peter laid down his life and tasted death, because then, and only then, did he truly know that Jesus was Lord, and then, and only then, did he know the importance of conversion, and of submitting oneself to the truth of God's word.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1Peter 4:12-13).” Believers are not to fear laying down their lives in order to serve the Lord. If we, as believers, believe the newly revealed truths of prophecy, then we are called to stand up and reveal those truths to the nations. What greater joy will there be then the joy of knowing that you have helped others escape the pestilences; and what greater proof of your faith will there be then that of speaking the truths of prophecy before the great and terrible day of the Lord is come! “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).”

Brethren, God is going to be threshing religion (Micah 4:13), and after its threshing, it will be completely destroyed (Ezekiel 21:27). Rejoice! Salvation from henceforth will be based upon our new covenant! “We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (2Peter 3:13).”