Simon Peter: the man who is an example of God's forgiveness and restoration

The first words Jesus said to the fisherman, Simon, were “Come, Follow me” (Mark 1:17) and his last words were “You must follow me” (John 21:22). Simon had heard Jesus speak before this invitation as his brother, Andrew, would bring him to listen to speak. While Simon would stumble, he never failed to follow. He was an ordinary fisherman going about his ordinary day when his life and world would drastically change. He would become a new person with a new vision and a new purpose. However, he would be far from perfect. We may wonder what Jesus saw in Simon, and I’m sure even Simon wondered what he saw in him as Jesus would rename him Peter, the rock. Simon was hotheaded and impulsive, far from the steady rock he was supposed to be. His impulsivity would become boldness as he preached Jesus and his gospel. 

The Sea of Galilee was a large lake with approximately 30 fishing towns along its shores, Capernaum was the largest. As a fisherman, Simon didn’t shy away from hard work and long days. Along with his brother, Andrew and their friends, John and James, son of Zebedee, he spent hours on the waters of the Sea of Galilee, casting large nets in order to gather large amounts of fish. He was a strong man with many accomplishments as one of Jesus’s chosen twelve. He became a recognized leader among the disciples and one of the inner three with John and James. Simon Peter would be there to witness the Transfiguration and get a glimpse of the glorified Jesus. He was the great voice of the gospel before, during and after Pentecost. He may have given Mark the information he needed to write his gospel. He was also flawed and the gospels are filled with his weaknesses and shortcomings. Simon Peter often spoke rashly, brashly and without thinking. He would deny Jesus three times as Jesus predicted, despite Simon Peter’s adamant statements that he never would. He also had a hard time accepting that Jesus’s message was for all: Jews and Gentiles alike. Traditions hold that Peter was crucified upside down as he felt unworthy to die as his Lord did. 

While tradition holds that Peter gave John Mark, a fellow follower of Jesus, his account in order to write the Gospel of Mark, Peter did write his own letters to believers. 1 Peter is a letter to encourage those Christians who were suffering. He had known suffering. Peter had been persecuted, brought in front of Sanhedrin and imprisoned by the Romans for preaching the gospel. He wrote in 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed where his glory is revealed.” 2 Peter was a warning against false prophecies and false teachers. False teachers will tell people anything for money (2 Peter 2:3). It is a warning that believers today need to heed as many false teachers have profited off believers’ faith and reverence for teachers. False teachers will “introduce destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1) and will exploit believers for their greed (2 Peter 2:3).

There are lessons we can learn from Simon Peter’s life. First, enthusiasm for the gospel has to be backed by faith and understanding. It is not enough to believe in the gospel and have faith in it; we need to know it, by reading it and studying it. Second, God’s faithfulness can compensate for our moments of great unfaithfulness. Peter had one of the greatest moment of unfaithfulness when he denied knowing Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, and John 18:17,25-27) after swearing that he would never deny him (Matthew 26:33.35 and Mark 14:29,31). When Jesus appeared after the resurrection, He would offer forgiveness by having Peter profess his love three times (John 21:15:17). By professing his love three times, Peter is forgiven and restored. Third, it is better to be a follower who fails and gets back up than one who fails to follow at all. Peter is a follower who failed many times. He was often rebuked for speaking rashly. He started to sink in the water as he took his eyes off of Jesus. But he was a follower who got back up after each failure and became a revered figure. Jesus doesn’t need us to be perfect. He needs us to believe and follow. 

As a disciple, Simon Peter is considered a saint and therefore perfect. He was far from perfect. He was a flawed man, a working man, chosen by Jesus and his impulsivity became boldness for the gospel, becoming a great leader of the early church. However, it is important for us to remember he wasn’t perfect, even as he walked with Jesus, he was ruled by his emotions, spoke his mind even when he should have been listening and often acted before he should have. Remember, God doesn’t want perfection. He wants us to love Him with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our minds (Matthew 22:37). Simon Peter is an example for us that when we fail, God is there to forgive and restore us when we repent. We will make mistakes, but what is important is to turn to God when we do. 

I highly recommend You Will Be Peter by Jerry Lathan with Steven Manchester. It is a great emotional account of who Simon Peter was and how he became the Bible figure we know today. It is available in hardcover and eBook