“I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:18-19
Saint Peter – c. 1 BC – AD 64/68), also known as Peter the Apostle, Simon Peter, Cephas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.
Peter is the first Pope of the Catholic Christian Church. Catholic and Orthodox tradition treats Peter as the first bishop of Rome – or pope – and also as the first bishop of Antioch.
He appears repeatedly and prominently in all four New Testament gospels, as well as the Acts of the apostles.
According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero.
Although not in Scripture, the early Church Fathers and historians, including Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hegesippus, Clement of Alexandria, Lactantius, and Eusebiusattest that Peter spent his closing years in Rome, and along with St. Paul founded the Church in Rome and conferred the episcopal office upon Linus. These accounts also maintain that Peter was martyred in Rome, traditionally on Vatican Hill during Nero’s reign. The late second-century writer Caius further testified that the monuments of Peter were located at the Vatican.
“When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely awestruck at the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land they left everything and followed him.” – Luke 5:8-11
Just like that, Peter followed Jesus and his life was changed forever.
What I love about St. Peter is that he clearly wasn’t perfect. He had his doubts, foibles and Eve denial of Jesus. He knew exactly Who Jesus is, even proclaimed boisterously that he would die right with Jesus only to get scared when challenged and deny even knowing Christ. He boldly stepped out of the boat in faith and walked on water (until he took his eyes off of Jesus and sank).
Then, comes the recovery and assignment of Peter as leader in John 21:15-19. I can imagine Peter wondering “how did I get here?” Jesus walks through baby steps in our challenges and struggles to lead us to great heights until one day He calls each of us to something bigger than we could ever imagine.
One of my favorite stories of Peter – Matthew 14:22-33:
Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
Be like Peter and say “Yes, Lord”
Step out in faith!