As a child, I envisioned growing up to be the greatest preacher of all times (certainly someone would have to replace Billy Graham). When I got married I was sure I would be the husband every woman dreamed of. When Esther was born, I resolved to be as perfect a father as any child ever wanted. To greater and lesser degrees, I failed at each of these. But because of my failures, I am a better father, husband, pastor/teacher.
Accordingly, I thank God for showing me the failures of Peter. Peter, most confident of disciples, stepped out of the boat to walk on water and declared allegiance to Jesus to his last breath! Peter probably had few failures in his life—I wonder what he thought when Jesus foretold his failure (Luke 22:31-34).
I am also intrigued that Jesus did NOT say ‘Peter, I am praying you won’t fail.’ Rather Jesus prays: that 1) Peter’s faith will not fail, and 2) he will RETURN and strengthen his brothers. Why doesn’t Jesus just pray that Peter won’t fail? Wouldn’t Jesus’ prayer have been answered? Yes, but Jesus knew that Peter needed to fail—in order to be broken of self-confidence and self-reliance so he could do the work he was called to do.
After his failure, Peter did what many people do. He turned back to familiar things. Is this why Jesus prayed he would RETURN! Not surprising, Peter turned back to the one thing he did well: FISHING! He fished all night, but FAILED to catch even a minnow.
The incident serves as a vivid reminder to Peter (read the whole story in John 21) that Jesus had promised he would become a great fisher of men. Changing the analogy, but with the same intent, Jesus spoke the words: “feed my sheep.” The significance should not escape us. BECAUSE of his failure, Peter was ready to give up. And Jesus says BECAUSE of your failure, I can now use you.
Without a bitter experience of his own inadequacy, Peter was not ready to feed the sheep. Not until he had miserably failed in his own strength was Peter ready to fulfill his calling to be the great evangelist and shepherd of the early Church.
[Question: Does God MAKE you FAIL? Answer: No, You don’t need any help with that! He just allows you to dig your own hole and fall into it, knowing this will cause you to RETURN to Him.]
Greg,
ReplyDeleteThe Lord Jesus was more concerned with Peter's success as a shepherd than He was with Peter's failure as a fisherman. So He had to "help" Peter see how futile it was for him to assume nothing needed to change in his life to make room for the transition from Jesus' physical presence to the presence only of His Spirit.
We often find ourselves in transitions not of our choosing. But we can place our ultimate confidence in His ambitions for us!
Jesus foresaw Peter's failures; but He also foresaw Peter's successes. The final word about Peter is found in his letters to the churches where one can read about a very passionate shepherd--quite a change from the impetuous fisherman! Jesus was right!
Stan