Sage Words » Peter

Q: Where Is Your Focus?

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:39:34 +0000

If I will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? John 21:22

After Peter received a prophecy from Christ about where his path of following Christ would take him. Jesus plainly told Peter martyrdom awaited him. Out of curiosity, Peter asked about his buddy, John. What's gonna happen to him? Jesus answers the question with a question- what is that to you? Then Jesus says, "You follow me."

It's easy to look around at other believers and measure our life, our effectiveness against what we see. However, that's the wrong scale. Our call is individual and our purpose is ordained by God and uniquely suited to us. No matter what's going on around us, we need to stick to our mission.

So when others have great ministry success, receive recognition, have tremendous fruit to show for their efforts… Don't give in to discouragement. Keep focused on Jesus.

When others fail spectacularly, and bring reproach on the name of Christ… Don't be distracted. Keep focused on Jesus.

Unsinking Focus (lovinthearts.blogspot.com)

Q: Do You Love Me?

Paula Wiseman — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:13:02 +0000

Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? John 21:15

This question, repeated 3 times, marks a critical moment in Peter's relationship with Jesus. Ashamed at his denial, tentative about taking on the ministry Jesus had for him, afraid of failing again, the last thing Peter wanted to do was answer this question in front of the other guys.

There are volumes of commentary on this exchange. Most agree that Peter's 3 denials warranted 3 public affirmations. There are several good insights as to what the "these" are that Christ refers to each time. However, without hearing the inflection in His voice or seeing His body language, we can't know for certain.

Context gives us a couple of possibilities, though.

Do you love Me more than the comfort of your routine?
Simon Peter had just spent the night fishing. Jesus instructed the disciples to go ahead to Galilee and He'd meet them there. With no sign of Jesus and not sure what to do next, Peter and the others fell back to what was safe and familiar.
Do I love Jesus enough to follow Him into situations that are stressful, or nerve-wracking? Am I willing to walk away from my perceived comfort zone?

Do You love Me more than these guys?
Peter had said, in no uncertain terms, that even if everyone else abandoned Jesus, he never would. Well, he did. Jesus allowed Peter to humiliate himself in front of his most intimate friends.
Do I love Jesus enough to respond in humility when He puts me through a fire or two? Even if my close friends see me fall?

Do you love Me?
Jesus always had a job for Peter, a ministry, a calling, a purpose. Peter's failure never forfeited that. In this moment, in this simple question, Jesus assured Peter, "I still want you. I still have a place for you. But I won't lie. It will be hard. It will stretch you beyond what you think you are capable of. Are you in?"

Lord, You know I love You.

Q: Shall I Take Your Place?

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:17:52 +0000

Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me? John 18:11

Jesus stops His disciples from trying to fight their way out of the Garden of Gethsemane with these words.

The Sword
Peter's sword is a symbol of our feeble attempts to work our way into God's favor. With that one little sword, Peter envisioned taking on a cohort of Roman soldiers (200 -600 men, probably 600 during Passover season) plus the full retinue of temple police. I don't need Jesus' help. I am strong and brave. I can fight my out.

In the end, he cut one man's ear. And Jesus fixed that. Peter had nothing to show for attempt to deliver himself and his friends.

The Cup
Sometimes the cup is a symbol of God's provision – my cup runneth over. Other times, it's a symbol of God's wrath, or at least some type of difficult trial. Jesus faced both.

The Substitute
There is a cup with my name on it. Shall I drink the cup the Father has given me? Can I face the wrath and judgment of God for my sins? I can't.
God made an offer. If HE will die, if HE will take the punishment, I will be satisfied.

Jesus said, I will.

God has ordained that I take on the full fury of His wrath. Shall I not complete that mission?
God has determined that I take your place. Shall I not do that for you?
God has asked Me to submit. How can I refuse Him?

There is no easy way out. This cannot be done on any other terms. The full brutality of man must be displayed. The holiness of God must be vindicated. His wrath must be satisfied. The effects and terrible cost of sin must be shown with unflinching frankness.

Every word, every action since man's fall has drawn us to this moment. I must see it through.

Q: Will You Surrender?

Paula Wiseman — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:46:24 +0000

Will you lay down your life for My sake? John 13:38

Jesus responds to Peter's claims with this question. Will you? Then He exposed Peter by foretelling the disciple's coming denial. Why did He do that? Jesus requires more than being willing to die for Him. He requires death to self. This is where Peter was fooling himself. Over the next few days, Jesus taught him a painful, yet powerful lesson.

Will you …
Surrender is always an act of will. He could make make us, but He doesn't.

Lay down your life…
Give up your right of self-determination
Give up your agenda

For My sake…
You're not throwing your life away, you're offering it as an act of worship
Is Christ worth it?
Does He deserve all that we are, all that we have?

He asks, "Will you give up this pretense of following Me?"

Q:Does This Offend You?

Paula Wiseman — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:44:27 +0000

Does this offend you? John 6:61

Jesus had just finished teaching a large group of followers that He was the bread of life. He wanted them to understand that everlasting life comes from accepting His upcoming sacrificial death. This troubled most of the multitude. A humiliated, suffering Messiah didn't fit their understanding of God, and they began to murmur. Eventually they walked away.

At some point in our walk, we will come up against words Jesus spoke that are a little jarring. Or maybe something God said in the Old Testament will cause us to stop and wonder. God wants to reveal Himself to us. As He does show more of Himself to us, we will begin to see He cannot, will not, be confined to the safe boundaries we like to put Him in.

Jesus goes on to tell this crowd, What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? John 6:62

To paraphrase, "If you can't handle this, there's no way you're ready for the big stuff."

God is not going to change to accommodate our notions of who He is or who He should be. So what do you do when you hit one of these things that rocks your theology? First, make sure it is a correctly interpreted Biblical truth and not just someone else's opinion. Check cross-references. Scripture NEVER contradicts itself, although our interpretations can't sometimes be off. Ask mature people you trust.

Then once you're sure you have understood what God said, you have a choice to make. Accept that you need to change your ideas and acknowledge who He is, or walk away.

After the crowds trickled away, Jesus asked the 12 if they were leaving too. Peter, without hesitation, replied, "Where else can we go? YOU have the words of eternal life."

They were glad they stayed around. You will be too.

STT: Seeing in Greek

Paula Wiseman — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:56:27 +0000

English is a tremendous language with rich shades of meaning in its words. However, there are a few occasions in Scripture where we miss out because we’re reading in English. One of those passages is John 20 where the discovery of the empty tomb is described. The word “see” or one of its form is repeated several times. However, there is much more going on in the Greek.

If you have your handy-dandy Strong’s or some other Greek reference, and read verse 1 you find out that Mary Magdalene “saw” the stone removed. The word is blepō and it means to look at (literally or figuratively), behold, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, take heed. Strong calls it a voluntary observation.

In verse 5, John does the same thing. He looked in and “saw” the linen clothes lying there. Same Greek word.

In verse 6, Peter arrives and he checks things out. His word is theōreō It means to be a spectator, look at, behold, to view attentively, take a view of, survey, to view mentally, consider. Peter examines things, inspects them and begins to process the information he’s taking in.

Then in verse 9, John has another turn. John followed Peter’s example, examined things, especially everything neatly folded and in order and he “saw” and believed. His word is eido. He perceived with his eyes and understood the implications of what he saw. (Granted, John helps us out a little by supplying the words “and believed” so we know he ‘got’ it.) John had a light bulb moment. He’s not quite there yet, though, because he and Peter go home.

Mary is still hanging around, however, and in verse 12, she sees an angel at the tomb. This is theōreō. In verse 14, she sees Jesus Himself. Same theōreō kind of seeing. The risen Christ speaks to her and she recognizes Him. Jesus sends her to tell His disciples.

In verse 18, she runs to tell them she saw the Lord. She gets a whole new Greek word- horao which means to become acquainted with by experience, to experience. Strong goes on to say this word implies that it’s something remarkable. It has an idea of wide-eyed wonder. So the boys “saw” it, maybe even comprehended it, but Mary “got” it.

May God grant us all a new grasp on the wonder and miracle that is Easter.

If you have your handy-dandy Strong’s or some other Greek reference, and read verse 1 you find out that Mary Magdalene “saw” the stone removed. The word is blepō and it means to look at (literally or figuratively), behold, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, take heed. Strong calls it a voluntary observation.

In verse 5, John does the same thing. He looked in and “saw” the linen clothes lying there. Same Greek word.

In verse 6, Peter arrives and he checks things out. His word is theōreō. It means to be a spectator, look at, behold, to view attentively, take a view of, survey, to view mentally, consider. Peter examines things, inspects them and begins to process the information he’s taking in.

Then in verse 9, John has another turn. John followed Peter’s example, examined things, especially everything neatly folded and in order and he “saw” and believed. His word is eido. He perceived with his eyes and understood the implications of what he saw. John had a light bulb moment. He’s not quite there yet, though, because he and Peter go home.

Mary is still hanging around, however, and in verse 12, she sees an angel at the tomb. This is theōreō. In verse 14, she sees Jesus Himself. Same theōreō kind of seeing. The risen Christ speaks to her and she recognizes Him. Jesus sends her to tell His disciples.

In verse 18, she runs to tell them she saw the Lord. She gets a whole new Greek word- horao which means to become acquainted with by experience, to experience. Strong goes on to say this word implies that it’s something remarkable. It has an idea of wide-eyed wonder. So the boys “saw” it, maybe even comprehended it, but Mary “got” it.