Peter: A Man Like Me

by Jeff Himmel
as originally published in the February 21, 1999, edition of Life Lines

     One of the greatest joys of Bible study is finding characters who remind me of myself. It's helpful for me to read about someone in a situation similar to mine and see what they did (right or otherwise). It reminds me that others have faced the same problems I face. And it helps give me some insight into what God expects of me. For this reason, I'm especially thankful that God's word tells about a man from Capernaum named Peter.

     You see, I can relate to Peter. I can see much of myself in him, because like me, Peter made mistakes. Scripture makes no effort to hide them from us. Peter often spoke first and thought later. His hastiness got the better of him more than once. He had a knack for both overreaction and overstatement. On some occasions he displayed great boldness; on others, simple cowardice. The gospels record both his outstanding confession and his infamous denial of Christ. To put it simply, Peter was flawed. And so am I.

     Like Peter, I struggle with a "fair weather" faith. When things are favorable, it's easy to be zealous for the Lord. I feel like saying, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, yet I will never be made to stumble" (Matthew 26:33). But when the going gets tough and following Jesus isn't so much fun, I may begin to live a life that says to the world, "I do not know Him" (Luke 22:56).

     Like Peter, I sometimes become so wrapped up in my own emotions and ideas that I forget about what God really wants. When Jesus spoke of His destiny to die in Jerusalem, Peter took the Master aside and proceeded to scold Him for saying something so ridiculous (Mark 8:32). Later, at the glorious transfiguration, Peter got so excited that he proposed erecting a tent not only for Jesus, but for Moses and Elijah (Mark 9:5)! In the same way, I find myself wanting to put my own schemes and methods in place of God's. I might think of some new, more "exciting" way to worship and serve Him. And I may even try to live by my own spiritual rules when the Lord's way seems unfair or inconvenient.

     I suppose the greatest reward from reading about Peter is seeing how his life was touched by the Master. It seems that for every one of the disciple's mistakes, Scripture also records a beautiful example of Christ's love and longsuffering. And as the scenes move from Peter's days with Jesus to his accomplishments in Acts, to the inspired words of teaching in his letters, I see how this temperamental fisherman grew and matured in the faith to become a great influence for the Lord. And I think, with God's help, I can grow, too.

     Come to think of it, that's exactly what Peter once said: "But for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

     Peter, like me, was far from perfect. I thank God for that. It's especially reassuring to know that even one so mighty in the Lord had his share of struggles. Peter's story tells of an impulsive, emotional, imperfect man who through Christ grew into a mighty servant of God. It shows the awesome effect Jesus can have on a life. And it shows that even someone like me can be of worth in God's kingdom.