Peter (Simon Peter) Who Was Jesus’ Closest Disciples
Do you know why Peter refused to die on an upright slab?
Peter loved Jesus. He respected him very much. Jesus was crucified on an upright slab and died there. When Peter was going to kill, he was also crucified on an upright slab. “I am no match for my master,” said Peter. So hang me on the reverted slab.
Introduction
Peter is mentioned in the Bible. His real name was Simon. Further, He is one of the closest disciples of Jesus. The meaning of Peter’s name is “rock”. Peter was the person who used to catch fish. Jesus said to him that now I will make you a fisher of men. It means the person who used to catch fish. Now he will convey God’s message to mankind and bring them to the path of success. Peter was a very faithful disciple of Jesus. Jesus gave him a lot of importance. He even built a church in his name and made Peter the leader of this church.
Verse
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)
Verse
“And so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” (Luke 5:10)
Peter as Jesus’ Disciple
Once Peter and his brother Andrew were fishing by the river bank. At that time, Jesus came there and said to Peter, “You fishers! Follow me; I will make you fishers of men.” This meant that Now God is going to take a task from them. Jesus will preach and teach Peter and his brother about Christianity. Then Peter and his brother will bring these teachings to the people and guide them to the right path. This is what it means to be a hunter of men. They followed Jesus because they respected Jesus very much. They already had respect for Jesus in their hearts, which is why they obeyed Jesus. Jesus gave them the message of Christianity and they accepted it and came to the realm of religion and became close disciples of Jesus.
Verse
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20)
Verse
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18)
Confession of Peter
We know that Jesus built a church in the name of Peter, but we do not know when Jesus made this promise to Peter. I will tell you about it. When Jesus asked his disciples how you know me, different disciples gave different views. But Peter said that you are a Christ and a very close servant of God. Jesus praised Peter for that and said, “You have spoken the truth, and therefore I will build a church on your name, which means rock, and make you its leader.” This shows that Jesus believed in Peter that he can run the church and bring the message of Christianity to the people.
Verse
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
Verse
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)
Doubt of Peter
Once Peter saw Jesus walking on the sea. There was a deep storm over the sea and Jesus was walking on it. Peter said that I also want to walk on the sea. So Jesus said, “Yes, come to me.” Peter started walking because of Jesus’ command; he did not drown in the sea and walked on the surface of the sea towards Jesus. But due to a sudden strong wind he was scared and his faith weakened. Peter thought he would fall and be caught up in the wind. Due to this fear, he started falling into the sea. Jesus quickly caught him and said that when a man’s faith is weak, he stumbles. Therefore, it is important to keep faith strong.
Verse
Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water. “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)
Verse
He saw the disciples straining at the oars because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:48-50)
Repentance of Peter
Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. Peter said “I will never do that. I cannot deny you.” Jesus said you will do it. On that day Jesus was arrested and the companions who were with Jesus were asked that if they knew him then they got arrested as well. Fearing that he would be arrested, Peter said, “I do not know Jesus.” He was asked three times and three times Peter refused. After his refusal, the rooster spoke. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said rightly that I would deny him. Peter was very ashamed for his words and he started to cry. Later he apologized to Jesus and Jesus forgave him.
Verse
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61-62)
Verse
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Peter’s life teaches us about love, faithfulness, human weakness and repentance. Peter was a man who performed very important services in Christianity. He brought God’s message to the people and became a leader of the early church. Yet it had human frailties. He also denied Jesus because he was afraid but he asked for forgiveness and re-established his religion on Christianity. Peter’s life shows us that there are some events in life where human weaknesses overwhelm a person, but with time, a person gets on the right path.
Verse
But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! (Acts 4:19)
Verse
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
