Have you ever said something that other considered to be profound? Have you turned around and then said something that was absolutely wrong? I know I have? Have you ever proclaimed that you were going to be absolutely faithful to a promise but then failed? I have. Was it because you overstated your own ability or was it because you absolutely believed that what you proclaimed you were going to do or did you proclaim it because you wanted other to think more highly of you knowing that you might not be able to come through with your proclamation? Well, I know that I have failed to live up to what I proclaimed. I know that I see myself at times in one of the Apostles, Peter. Let us look at why and how that brings me hope.
Here is an example of Peter’s great faith and his proclamation of it. ‘He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’” (ESV) Matthew 16:15-19 I see here some great statements Peter’s statement of faith and Jesus’ statements regarding faith in Him. Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Christ The Son of God. Jesus goes on then to bless Peter for what He said. He then goes on to say that on this rock He will build His Church. I do not believe that it was Peter that the Christ’s Church upon but it is the statement Peter. Jesus then goes on to say that He will give them the keys of the kingdom of heaven along with some additional powers.
I believe that when I truly believe as Peter did that I will receive the same things. I receive Jesus’ blessings, the keys to heaven so I can get in, and great power to live my life. You also can get these things by believing in Jesus. If you do not know how you can find out by Learning how to know Jesus.
Then something happens shortly after this great statement. Peter opens his mouth and inserts his foot. I know that sounds a lot like me. “And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord This shall never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’”(ESV) Matthew 16:22-23 Peter just like me said something that was radically wrong and Jesus rebuked Him. I know that there have been times that Jesus has rebuked me for what I have said or done. He has used the Holy Spirit to convict me, he has used friends to correct me, he has also use trials to correct me. Because Jesus rebukes me I have hope that I am important to Him and that He will make me better.
In the case of Peter Jesus certainly made a difference that lasted for the rest of his life. It does not mean that Peter never stumbled again. Afterall later on Peter denies Jesus three times before the cock crowed. However, Peter went on to do amazing things. “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (ESV) (Acts 2:14-15, 38-40 I know that I have never had three-thousand people come to Christ because I have said something but I know some have. So despite all of Peter’s mistakes Jesus chose to use him in a mighty way. Because of that I have hope that Jesus might use me in some small way. Please join me in the hope that Jesus might use you in some small way as well.
If you do not know Jesus the true source of hope does not abide in you. Learn how to get the hope you need. Learn how to know Jesus
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