Page 7 - September 2024 - Truth & Tidings

However, the Lord told him, “Go thou to with the influx of Gentile believers. The
the sea” (v27). Even the sea and its crea- tempestuous wave-like man had become
tures have to obey natural laws. Similarly, an aqueduct of blessing.
Peter had to learn to submit to others, his
ds
or
W
privileges notwithstanding. When the Words
drachma popped out of the fish’s mouth, A leader of men is not only a man of
he had to submissively pay his taxes. This action but a man of words. Peter thought
is why he later wrote, “Submit yourselves it was better to say something rather than
to every ordinance of man …. Be subject to nothing (Mar 9:6), even if he was wrong.
your masters …. Wives, be in subjection to The Lord had told him to let down his
your own husbands …. Be subject one to nets for a draught, but Peter said, “I will
another” (1Pe 2:13,18; 3:1; 5:5). Peter be- let down the net” (Luk 5:5). Infamously, he
lieved in authoritative hierarchy, but also rebuked the Lord, thus contradicting the
learned the value of obedient submission. words of Christ and incurring the rebuke
Peter should probably have waited at – “Adversary” (Mar 8:33). Sadly, he denied
the sea of Tiberias, but, agitated and ac- the Lord with curses (Mat 26:74).
tive as ever, he stirred up his fellows and However, side by side with his ham-
declared, “I go a fishing” (Joh 21:3). Upon fisted statements are some of the most
speaking the word, all his companions sublime utterances in Scripture. Just be-
bundled into the boat and joined him in fore saying “Not so, Lord,” he had said,
the ill-fated enterprise. They caught noth- “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
ing. Peter had been in turbulence since his God” (Mat 16:16). Just before putting
denial, but at the calm waters of Tiberias Moses and Elijah on par with Christ, he
he dined with the risen Christ and walked said, “Master, it is good for us to be here”
along the shore in confession. Like the (Mar 9:5). And before interfering with the
psalmist beside still waters, he could say, career of the apostle John, he said, “Lord,
“He restoreth my soul” (Psa 23:3). He was thou knowest all things; thou knowest that
restored when the Lord said, “Follow I love thee” (Joh 21:17).
me” (Joh 21:19). The waters of restoration However, with time and grace, Peter’s
ministered grace to the humbled Peter, words became more like his Lord’s. Flesh
and he was about to be exalted in due and blood didn’t impart them to him, but
time (1Pe 5:6). his Father who had chosen to save him
Spirit-filled, he springs up in the Acts (Mat 16:17; 1Pe 1:2). When other disciples
to lead the apostolic band. His sermons refused a diet of hard words, he sweetly
cascade like mighty waters, accusing ate them all, saying, “Lord, to whom shall
Israel of crucifying Christ (Act 2:23; 3:14; we go? Thou hast the words of eternal
4:10), but promising refreshing showers to life” (Joh 6:68).
all who will repent (3:19). His heart swells He was the first to preach to Gentiles,
in praise as he sees the fountainhead of and such was the unity between his
all blessing – God who made heaven words and heaven’s that “Peter opened
and sea (4:24). He spread the gospel-tide his mouth” (Act 10:34) and God filled it.
across Judea, Samaria, Joppa and Babylon. Peter said that the Gentiles heard the gos-
He cleansed the Church of Ananias and pel “by my mouth” (15:7). His words had
Sapphira and helped stabilise the church once caused chaos but became the means
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