Scriptures: John 1:35-42, Luke 5:1-11, Acts 1 & 2
Structure:
- Introduction
- The Call
- The Journey
- The Fulfilment
- Conclusion:
Introduction:
Some of us consider we have done Easter, we have had our share of Hot Cross Buns, Easter Eggs and we came to Church twice, so let’s move on, But wait a minute are we missing something if we end Easter on Easter Sunday? We celebrate the Resurrection with some amazing songs and there is so much hope. Something wonderful has happened that changed our world forever, prophecy came true and we have a Risen Saviour who is in the world today.
I want us to pause and take a look at some events before and after the Resurrection.
What was it really like for the disciples, in particular Simon Peter.
We will look at: The Call
The Journey
The Fulfilment
The Call:
It began for Simon Peter with “The Call” We read in John 1:35-42.
The next day John was there with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by he said, “Look the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”). “Where are you staying?” “Come” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which when translated, is Peter).
John had his disciples, it was not uncommon for a Rabbi to have followers – “Come and you will see” was an invitation to follow Jesus, but Jesus was more than a “Rabbi”. The two disciples left John and followed Jesus.
Andrew is named as one of the disciples with John and one of the first things he did was to find his brother and tell him “We have found the Messiah (that is the Christ) Andrew brought Simon to Jesus who named him Peter.
Jesus wanted them to be more than followers, they were to become “Fishers of Men”. In Luke 5:1-11 we read:
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret (Galilee). The people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break, so they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man!”. . . Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on You will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Jesus.
Simon respectfully addresses Jesus as Master but is clearly not happy with the command to go a little deeper and cast his nets. He tells Jesus that they had worked all night and caught nothing so what was the point of casting their nets again – inferring they were fishermen who knew night was the best time for fishing. This is one of the first glimpses we get into Peter’s personality – blunt. To the point. Peter disagreed with the request but nevertheless obeyed.
The catch was amazing – way more than they could cope with. Peter recognised this as being a miracle, Peter experienced the grace of God and was aware of his sinfulness. Peter was awestruck. He is aware that his life is changed and henceforth they will be “Fishers of Men”.
So we are beginning to get a picture of Simon Peter:
- He is a fisherman
- He has heard about Jesus
- He is Andrew’s brother
- Andrew brings him to Jesus
- Jesus gave him the name of Peter.
- He is obedient
- He speaks his mind
- He becomes a disciple of Jesus.
The Journey:
This brings us to “The Journey”. What did the disciples see and learn. They witnessed the teaching of Jesus, the miracles, the parables, the healings. How the religious leaders treated Jesus, how the Pharisees were looking for ways to show Jesus was not following the laws of God. They were there at the feeding of the 5000. They participated in the sending out of the 12 in pairs. That was a lot to absorb and process. Most of the references are “the disciples” but as events are drawing closer to the end of Jesus ministry, we find Peter mentioned by name.
These events give us glimpses of Peter’s personality as well as his belief and understanding of who Jesus was. It is not possible for us to look at everything so I will just focus on a few key events.
Peter experienced a very personal and close experience of the healing power of Jesus. In Matthew, Mark and Luke Jesus went to Peter’s house with his disciples. When the disciples were in that area they often used Peter’s house as a meeting place, so they were familiar with the house and all who lived there. On this occasion Peter’s Mother in Law was sick with a fever and Jesus touched her. Immediately she was healed and able to get up and serve her guests. The healing was complete and was a healing of someone close to them.
There was the time after the Feeding of the 5000 when Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him by boat so he could pray by himself. The water became rough and in the early morning Jesus came to them – he was walking on the water and the disciples saw him. They were terrified and said – It’s a ghost.
Jesus calmed them and assured them it was himself. Peter replied asking Jesus to tell him to come to him. Jesus did this and Peter got out of the boat and walked towards him. Peter was distracted by the wind and began to sink, he cried out to Jesus and Jesus rescued him rebuking him for having little faith. When they climbed back into the boat the wind died down and the disciples worshiped him saying, You truly are the Son of God.
At the Transfiguration, Jesus takes a small group of the disciples – Peter, James and John up a mountain. They witnessed a vision of Jesus, Jesus was praying and his appearance changed, his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men – Elijah and Moses were with him and spoke of Jesus forthcoming death. Peter and the other disciples were sleepy but became fully aware at the vision in front of them.
Peter immediately responds by wanting to build booths to house the three figures. Is this Peter’s impetuousness or does he misunderstand the vision? God speaks and Peter and the other disciples are awestruck and Elijah and Moses disappear. Jesus reassures them not to be afraid and when they are coming down the mountain Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen.
The Transfiguration marks a turning point in Jesus Ministry as from here on everything points towards the Cross. Jesus foretold his death. Peter responds to this by taking Jesus to one side declaring this will not happen. We see Peter’s impetuousness come to the fore and Jesus rebukes him. The idea of Jesus dying is difficult for Peter and the disciples to grasp. Peter has not grasped the full meaning of Jesus as the Messiah and what this means for Jesus.
Jesus and the disciples are in Jerusalem, it is just before the Passover and Jesus is escalating his preparation of the disciples for what is coming and Peter is continuing to act impulsively.
We have the Washing of the disciple’s feet, Jesus tells of his betrayal by one of them. Jesus gets up from the meal, takes of his outer garments and begins to wash the disciples’ feet, something expected of a servant, not a leader. Peter does not want Jesus to wash his feet and Jesus explains the necessity of this. Peter over reacts and wants Jesus to wash all of him. Jesus replies and in his explanation tells them there is one present who is not clean and teaches them about servanthood. This is bewildering to the disciples who could not possibly grasp what is to happen. It is in this situation that Jesus predicts his betrayal and Judas leaves the group.
Jesus prepares his disciples by telling them he will be with them only a little while longer and giving them the command to Love one another. By this everyone will know that they are His disciples by their love. Peter asks, “Where are you going?” Jesus tells Peter that where he is going no one can follow but they will follow later. Peter vows to lay down his life for Jesus and Jesus answered and predicts that before the rooster crows Peter will disown Jesus three times.
Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus took Peter and two other disciples further into the Garden and told them to wait and watch while he went to pray. Jesus began to be sorrowful and troubled – he knew what was coming. Three times they fell asleep while waiting and Jesus tells them his hour has come and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners, Rise:! Let us go! Here comes my Betrayer.
Judas betrays Jesus and Peter reacts with his sword, cutting off the ear of one of the men in the group coming to arrest Jesus. Jesus rebukes Peter and heals the severed ear. Jesus is lead away. Peter and another disciple follow Jesus trying to keep as close as possible to him as they could. Peter is recognised as being close to Jesus, first by a servant girl and another two times and a rooster crows.
How devastating for Peter who is immediately aware of Jesus prediction and we are told that Peter wept.
We don’t hear much about Peter until after the Resurrection when he sees Jesus along with the other disciples. Peter and another disciples were told by the women that Jesus was not in the tomb when they came to anoint him, and they saw the empty tomb. Peter was also in the locked room because they were fearful about the rumours circulated by the guards at the grave that the disciples had taken the body from the grave. Jesus appeared to the disciples.
Peter was fishing and again they caught nothing. Jesus appeared to them and Peter is again told by Jesus to put down his net and the catch was amazing. Jesus had breakfast with the disciples and Jesus reinstates Peter, and declares his love for Jesus and Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep.
From the journey we learn:
- Peter stayed with Jesus from the time of his call
- Peter declared Jesus was the Messiah
- Peter often acted impulsively
- Peter often misunderstood Jesus
- Peter was rebuked by Jesus
- Peter didn’t want Jesus to die and said he would do everything to stop it
- Peter witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus
- Peter denied knowledge of Jesus three times
- Peter was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them
- Peter recognises Jesus when they were fishing after the Resurrection
- Peter is reinstated by Jesus and given responsibility for the followers of Jesus.
The Fulfilment:
This leads us to the Fulfilment of Jesus bestowing on Peter he was to become a “Fisher of Men”.
The story of Peter continues in the Book of Acts. He is indeed a Leader and is empowered by the Holy Spirit from being a follower to bringing many into faith and belief in Jesus. We cannot look at all the accounts of Peter in Acts.
In Acts we read, before Jesus was taken up to heaven, He appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion he gave them this command “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.
The Day of Pentecost occurred at the same time as Jews gathered to celebrate The Feast of Harvest, so that explains why there were crowds from many places. The origins of Pentecost is 50 – it was celebrated 50 days after the Passover and on the eve of 50 days after the Resurrection.
The Holy Spirit came with a great wind and tongues of fire. They could understand the different languages and people were amazed – some people used the opportunity to say the people were drunk. We read of Peter addressing the crowd calling on them to Repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call. We are told about 3000 came to faith that day. This was indeed the beginning of the Christian Church.
We also learn about Peter healing a lame beggar asking for money by saying “Silver or Gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Many who knew this lame beggar were amazed and Peter took advantage of this and preached to the gathered crowd. Shortly after Peter and John who was with him were arrested and imprisoned after being brought before the Sanhedrin. This resulted in them speaking the truth despite being threatened into silence.
Healings continued along with persecution but nothing could stop them. The Sanhedrin wanted Peter and John put to death but a Pharisee named Gamaliel spoke to the Sanhedrin telling them to leave them alone saying if their activity is of human origin it will fail. But if it is God they will not stop these men. They were released after a flogging. They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. And many believed.
Peter was summoned to go to Cornelius a Roman Centurion who is described as devout and God fearing. Peter had a vision and the result of this is that Gentiles (non-Jews) became Christians and were welcomed into the Community of Believers.
The story does not end with Acts. Towards the end of the New Testament we have the Letters of Peter, these are attributed to Peter.
From the Fulfilment we learn
- Peter was empowered by the Holy Spirit
- Peter was bold
- Peter healed a lame man
- Peter was put into prison for his preaching and teaching
- Peter was persecuted
- Peter had a vision
- Peter took the gospel to the Gentiles
- Peter left us with the Letters of Peter
Conclusion:
Our faith journey begins with a call and our faith journey has ups and downs with difficult times. We may not be imprisoned or persecuted but there is suffering involved. We learn from Peter that when you answer God’s call you don’t become perfect. You don’t have to strive for perfection. Faith is always growing – we learn and grow.
Like Peter we need to keep looking to Jesus – if we take our eyes off Jesus we will sink like Peter.
We too can become Fishers of Men. Peter’s brother bought him to Jesus we too can bring our brothers and sisters to Jesus. We can speak to individuals, we can pray and we can increase God’s Kingdom and so become Fishers of Men.
Let us pray…
Almighty God we have heard about Peter, his call his journey and his fulfilment of being a Fisher of Men. Help us to be bold like Peter and to become Fishers of Men to bring others into your Kingdom. Amen.
Tawa Baptist 