(Updated March, 2022- Just a few edits.)
It’s really easy to judge people in the Bible and think, “Well, I would never do that…” or at least, I’m guilty of that way of thinking. Peter is one who often gets picked on in this manner, but one of the reasons why he is a favorite disciple of many people is because he is relatable.
Easter is next month and I’ve been wanting to work on writing some more Resurrection Day posts this year. Last year I was able to cover:
A couple months ago, the thought came to me about the difference in how Jesus approached His death and Peter dealing with Christ’s death. Both Jesus and Peter had to deal with God’s will. Jesus chose to follow what God determined to be, however, Peter fought against it.
I think it’s really easy for us in our own lives to have the same struggle.
(NIV) John 18:10-11, “Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Jesus chose the Father’s will over His own. Jesus was always God, but He showed His submission in that He followed the will of the Father. (Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:42, Mark 14:36)
For us to make that same decision, it’s really hard because we are not God. This was the same case for Peter. We will struggle. This is why we need the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us. We cannot save ourselves. We need Jesus. The Savior helps us follow His example. Deny ourselves and follow Him.
Peter was told he would deny Christ, and he refused to believe it. He and other disciples were told to pray, but they fell asleep. He tried to protect Christ, not by the way of God, but by the way of man, with violence. Peter then denied Christ, just as Jesus said. (Mark 14:37, John 18:25)
Flesh says take up the situation into your hands.
We are not Peter, but we can learn from his weakness. We also struggle to believe what our Savior tells us in His word. Pray that you do not be tempted. Yet, we sleep, we push prayer aside, we have other priorities placed above spending time with God. When the battle happens, we are not equipped. We cry. We struggle. We rage. (See: When Temptation Breaks You | Why We Are Weak & Overcoming Temptation | When Temptation Breaks You)
Jesus was a servant completely, and we are to be humble like Him. Life may not appear the way we want. Trials will come and our soul will be afflicted. But take heart for Christ has overcome the world. Our eyes are not to be on this current life but on eternity.
The answer is Jesus.
He helps us conquer. He is our Hope and refuge. His death for us atoned for our sins, and geniune faith in Him allows us to enter salvation, there’s nothing we can do on our own to earn it. When Jesus enters our life we see that we no longer can live the same way, not for those who truly believe. We must repent from sin, and Jesus makes it possible. After we have put our faith in Him, we receive the Holy Spirit. Fruit begins to emerge within us because of the Holy Spirit (See: Answering Critics on Godly Living & Straw Man Fallacy.) Christ renews our minds. Assurance of our faith shows us that our salvation is in Him. (John 20:31, Acts 3:19 & 17:30, 2 Samuel 22:03, Ephesians 4:23)
- (NIV) John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- (NIV) Acts 14:22, “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”
- (NLT) 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
- (NKJ) Romans 8:24, “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?”
- (NIV) Hebrews 11:01, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
- (NIV) Hebrews 12:02, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The Gospel Message– The Gospel message is good news, which means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
COMMENT BELOW:
Have you ever tried to take a situation into your own hands?
Monthly Scripture- (NKJ) Psalm 85:03, “You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.”
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Inside Cup 
I’ve taken lots of situations into my own hands. I used to think that this only applied to situations with other people but I’ve found that I internalize a lot of things. Instead of letting the Lord into my head I stew over things. It’s something that I know I have to work on.
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That’s a really good point! We keep things to ourselves instead of giving it to God. Like you said we stew over our thoughts, and often, that stewing is what gives the devil a foothold. I know I’ve struggled and definitely struggle, especially with anger/frustration.
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