"The Cost of Our Redemption: Peter -- Security"
Mt.26:31-35,69-75 March 17/02
Intro: Scared -- or Secure?
When do you feel least secure -- even scared? It was pretty scary a week ago when winds up to 120 km/hr were blasting this area. We couldn't seem to keep our garbage can lids from blowing over onto the neighbours' property. But compared to some people's troubles, garbage can lids were insignificant. Some of you had large trees crashing down around your house and smashing your vehicles. The vacant lot next door to us gained a small metal utility shed that hadn't been there before - somewhat crumpled up. As for the storage shed that WAS there, securely locked, the gale ripped off a board and flung both doors wide open. Greenhouse owners especially suffered grief: in at least one case these wound up a twisted pile of pipe and plastic. Across Ontario some 115,000 customers were without hydro for considerable lengths of time.
Such freakish weather makes us feel very small, vulnerable, and insecure. Our natural reaction is to "batten down the hatches" and try to protect ourselves as best we can. But we find that the things we usually trust in to keep us secure may let us down.
Threats to security come in many forms, not just climatic. A downturn in the economy results in layoffs; a strike increases insecurity for provincial government employees and their families. Sometimes it seems that taxes, rent, and prices just keep going up and up, eroding our income. A call from the doctor's office with news something showed up on the last test can scare us big time; even "routine" surgery has its associated risks. Or, there's relational insecurity. The body language or tone of voice of our friend or partner may suggest relations aren't as close as we thought they were. "What's gone wrong?" we wonder. Suddenly something we took for granted has become unsure; we feel unsettled, very insecure.
With time and a delicate sense of touch, it is possible to transform a deck of cards into a lofty house of cards. But it's not a secure structure; a waft of air may send it tumbling. Physical life, and some relationships, are that insecure -- even for those the world looks up to as "stars". An Argentinean tennis pro was interviewed in Sports Illustrated several years ago. Guillermo Vilas said, "Fervently I think that many times one feels oneself to be secure and suddenly one's world falls down like a pack of cards in a matter of seconds."
In these weeks leading up to Easter, we're investigating a murder mystery, focussing on the people implicated in Jesus' death and trying to determine "whodunnit". Last week we examined Caiaphas whose motive in eliminating Jesus was preserving religious custom. Today we'll scrutinize Peter, supposedly one of Jesus' own faithful disciples. By denying his Master, Peter let Him down at a crucial moment, even as the trial was underway. Peter's motive was security, desperately trying to save his own skin.
What kind of person was Simon Peter? A Bible dictionary tells us, "The character of Peter is one of the most vividly drawn and charming in the New Testament. His sheer humanness has made him one of the most beloved and winsome members of the apostolic band. He was eager, impulsive, energetic, self-confident, aggressive, and daring, but also unstable, fickle, weak, and cowardly. He was guided more by quick impulse than logical reasoning, and readily swayed from one extreme to the other. He was preeminently a man of action. His story exhibits the defects of his qualities as well as the tremendous capacities for good which he possessed. He was naturally forward and often rash, liable to instability and inconsistency, but his love for and associations with Christ moulded him into a man of stability, humility, and courageous service for God, becoming one of the noble pillars (Gal.2:9) of the church."
Peter's real name was Simon; Jesus nicknamed him Peter meaning "rock", but on many occasions Peter's impulsiveness and instability made him do a "flip-flop" rather than being solid and hanging tough. Let's review some of the incidents involving this disciple during Jesus' earthly ministry. Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew, who'd been one of the followers of John the Baptist (Jn.1:41f). When Jesus called Peter to stop fishing and follow Him, Peter promptly followed (Mt.4:18-20). That was good, although perhaps he may have been wondering in the back of his mind how he was going to explain this to his wife, for Peter was married and had a home in Capernaum. One time when Jesus was visiting, He healed Peter's mother-in-law who was in bed suffering from a fever (Mt.8:14). That must have impressed Peter. Here's a guy who can heal instantly! You just can't do that with money or any other kind of power! Despite His demands, Jesus offered a kind of security nothing else could match.
One time the disciples were in a boat by themselves, having trouble making headway because the wind was against them (Mt.14:28-31). Jesus came to them, walking on the water. Peter it was who had the bright idea to call out asking Jesus to tell him to come to the Master on the water. At first Peter was able to walk on the water, but when he saw how strong the wind was he got scared and started to sink. Jesus reached out and grabbed him, chiding him for doubting. Peter had done a flip-flop; but this was one more episode that showed security comes through the Saviour's power, in spite of circumstances.
Peter would get bright ideas, and blurt them out right away. He was the first disciple to confess Jesus as Christ, "the Son of the living God" (Mt.16:16-19); Jesus rejoiced that Peter had received this insight from the Father. He said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Peter was discovering what was really secure, what would last and could be depended upon -- trust in Christ. But when Jesus went on to add that Messiahship involved suffering, Peter cornered and rebuked Him, "Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!" Jesus responded that Peter's desperation to preserve their security was making him a stumbling block instead of a building block. "You don't have God's things in mind, but man's." (Mt.16:22f)
Peter had the privilege of accompanying Jesus along with James and John up the mount of transfiguration. Seeing the Master talking with Moses and Elijah, Peter had another bright idea -- that they should build shelters to house the supernatural guests. A voice from the cloud interrupted Peter by telling them to listen to the beloved Son. That's who they were to "camp on"; Jesus alone was to be their shelter and security. (Mt.17:1-5)
One time some collectors of the temple tax asked Peter if the Master paid the tax, and Peter assured them Jesus did. After all, tax officials can be very threatening; even seeing one of those brown envelopes in the mail can send a little chill up your spine! Jesus suggested to Peter that it really wasn't appropriate for the temple establishment to be collecting taxes from their own people, but so as not to offend, Peter was to catch a fish and give them the coin from its mouth (Mt.17:24-27). Just a little object lesson reinforcing the idea that God can provide our needs and keep us secure by marvelous means.
When Jesus was emphasizing how hard it was for rich people to enter God's Kingdom, Peter exclaimed, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" Perhaps, with a family to support, he felt most keenly the demands discipleship made on Jesus' followers. "We've left our security! Will there be any pay-back? What do you offer us instead?" Jesus replies that His followers will judge Israel; "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." (Mt.19:29) Whatever type of security God asks us to give up for Him - property, dwellings, family connections - doesn't go unnoticed, but will be MORE than compensated for eventually.
On Maundy Thursday, when Jesus washes the disciples' feet as an example that they should serve one another, Peter at first refuses to let Jesus wash his feet. Then when Christ insists it's necessary to have a part with Him, Peter does a flip-flop, and asks Him to wash his head and hands as well! (Jn.13:6-9) Unstable, impulsive Peter! If YOU were leaving earth, is this the person you would make leader of a fledgling organization?
But the acid test of Peter's devotion was yet to come. When Jesus predicts He's going to be eliminated and His followers scattered, Peter boldly declares, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will...Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." (Mt.26:33,35) But that very night he denies three times that he even knows Jesus (26:69-75). A servant girl started it off, saying Peter had been with Jesus of Galilee. Then another said something similar. Finally people started noticing his thick north-country accent marked him as definitely Galilean. Each time, Peter reacted faster than your knee can jerk. He broke out into a cold sweat knowing what would happen if the Romans got ahold of anyone perceived to be a traitor, a rebel - cruel, painful death. He didn't want to die! He had to stay alive for his wife and family! He hadn't done anything against the government! A thousand justifications flooded his mind, for the burly fisherman knew how to protect himself. His home, his livelihood, his future -- it would be insane to risk all that.
And then - a rooster crowed. The whistle blew on Peter's pretenses at self-justification, preserving his best interests. He remembered Jesus predicted Peter'd let Him down not once, not twice, but three times before morning. Peter couldn't keep his mouth shut out of loyalty for His Lord as long as a rooster. It's shameful being bettered by a bird. And all at once Peter's own cockiness evaporated, all he had to crow about shattered into bitter sobs. He was a failure, not a fighter. His bravado had been empty boasting. He had felt so sure of himself, so secure in his loyalty back there in the upper room when everybody else was saying they'd stand by Jesus too; but evil had gotten the better of him. His words were simply wind, less to be heeded than a rooster's signal of the time of day. By his denial, Peter had forsaken His master and gone over to the side of those who were murdering Him.
B) Post-Easter Peter: Pillar upon the Imperishable
Jesus had said something really significant just before Peter made his fateful boast. Only Luke records it: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you [plural] as wheat.But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32) The Lord foresaw not only that Peter would deny him, but that all the disciples would desert Him. And He had prayed preventatively, so that after Peter had repented, he would be the one to take leadership in drawing the group back together in the Master's mission. Spiritually speaking, Jesus by prayer had run "interference" blocking Satan's would-be tackle. Peter the Flop did not come to the same miserable end as Judas. By God's grace Peter did become a rock for the early church. Paul calls him a "pillar" (Gal.2:9): that's what we're thankful our houses had last week when the windstorm hit, solid footings to anchor us securely.
After the resurrection, we see Jesus' prayer taking effect in Peter's life. When he hears the women's news, he runs to the tomb with John, and is the first to go inside and witness the evidence first-hand (Lk.24:12; Jn.20:3,6). When the Risen Jesus arranges breakfast on the beach while the disciples are fishing, Peter's immediate response is to throw himself into the water so he can swim to shore first. Jesus reinstates Peter by asking him three times "Do you love me?" then charging him to feed His sheep. In other words, "If you really love me as you say you do, Peter, you'll start to look out for these brothers and sisters of mine instead of worrying about your own skin, your personal security. Stop comparing yourself to others -- what's it to you if I want John to live longer? You, follow Me.Strengthen your brothers like I told you."
Christ addresses this whole issue of security Peter's wrestled with. In John 21:18f He says, "'I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.' Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, 'Follow me!'" The Lord had slowly been stretching Peter's security envelope. When young, Peter could do pretty well whatever he wanted; but later he would die a martyr's death (tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down). He'd failed the test the night of his denial - fearing for his very hide; but God's grace was working in his life to bring him to the point where he'd be ready to accept persecution and even death on account of Christ.
Before many more days, we see a dramatic change in Peter, to the point where he's not scared any more of what people might do to him. On the day of Pentecost, it's Peter who stands and preaches to the crowd. He heals a beggar, and confronts the same authorities who killed his Master, insisting, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19-20) And, "We must obey God rather than men!" (Acts 5:29) Where's Peter's security now? Not in denying Jesus, but in owning and acknowledging Him. And because Peter put himself totally at God's disposal, God did mighty miracles through him; people even brought their sick and laid them in the streets in hope that even Peter's shadow might fall on them and heal them (Acts 5:15).
Peter it was who confronted the sinful lying and deception of Ananias and Sapphira, to do with their offering (Acts 5:3). It was Peter who saw a vision and preached the gospel to Cornelius and other gentiles (Acts 10). It was Peter who saw God guarantee his security dramatically by an angelic jailbreak when Peter was to be executed (Acts 12:1-19). And it was Peter who at the Jerusalem Council sided with Paul arguing that Gentiles shouldn't be burdened with Jewish dietary laws and circumcision; "it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved" (Acts 15:7-11).
How would Peter sum up this dramatic change in attitude? We can thank God for his letters to churches that have survived and we find in our New Testament. First and Second Peter reveal the "Rock's" thinking has changed in the way he views the world. His security comes in focussing on what Jesus offers: what will last forever, not just what lasts for this life only.
For example, Peter writes that he will soon put aside "the tent of this body" (2Pet.1:13). The heavens will disappear, the elements will melt (3:10,12). People are as temporary as grass, their glory withers and falls like wildflowers (1Pet.1:23). These things just won't last, so it's shortsighted and foolish to find our security in this earthly life.
By contrast, Peter the pillar draws strength from the "imperishables". He says we have an imperishable inheritance, kept in heaven for us. Through faith, we're shielded by God's power; this faith, he says, is of greater worth than gold, which is perishable even though refined by fire. Our finest jewellery is peanuts compared to the imperishables! For our faith will result in "praise, glory, and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1Pet.1:3-7) Peter's taking the long-range view. We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, he says, not perishable things like silver or gold (1Pet.1:18f). We've been born again of imperishable seed through God's living, enduring word; while human glory fades like mown weeds, the word of the Lord stands forever (1Pet.1:23,25). Because everything around us is going to be incinerated, we look forward to a new heaven and earth -- the home of righteousness (2Pet.3:13). These are the "realities", the things that last from Peter's viewpoint: our inheritance in heaven, God's shielding, our faith, Christ's precious blood, the seed of God's word, an eternal home. These are the things that truly last, that provide final security. We own them by simply believing, trusting that Christ has done what He said He was doing - redeeming us, buying us back from sin and death. So, we live the rest of our earthly life, not for "evil human desires...lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing..." but "for the will of God" (1Pet.4:2f). Check out what God wants; like Peter, we learn in Christ to stop doing just what we want. God wants to build your life into a palace of permanence; by ourselves, all we can imagine is a floppy tin shack.
Wrapping Up: How Secure's Your Security?
Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a fellow who on a blustery day was working on his roof, which had a sharp peak. So he decide to be safe he should somehow secure himself to something down on the ground. He tied a rope around his waist, pulled it tight, climbed to the roof, and went over the peak. Then he threw the rope over the side and said to his boy, "Tie that to the tree." Well, the little kid thought, "That tree's kinda small." So he tied it to the bumper of the car.
Mom was busy in the house with chores of her own. She discovered, however, that she needed to make a quick trip to the store. She went out, put the car in reverse, and the guy came off the roof in short order!
Frankly, if Peter were to drop in on us today, he'd say some of us are about as secure as that fellow on the roof. We're trusting in things which will all too soon vanish. What have you bound yourself to? Are you anchored in eternity through Christ and God's word, or is something tugging your rope in another direction? Jesus promised, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)
Like Peter, when you come to trust in Jesus for your security, you can become a pillar of strength for others instead of "petering out". "Fully Rely On God"...He won't leave you in the lurch. Jesus has gone to prepare an eternal home for you. One final image. Y'know how secure a little kid feels sitting on top of a parent's shoulders? Moses said, "Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." (Deuteronomy 33:12) Let's pray.