Rock

Of all the apostles, the one I believe John wants us to focus on is Simon Peter.

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. - John 18:15-18,25-27

When God chooses Abram, he gives him a new name, Abraham, and his wife, Sarai becomes Sarah.

That is the beginning of the story of God redeeming his people.

Later, God in human form, calls the twelve and gives one, Simon, a new name.  He calls him the Rock, which we translate as Peter.

Being chosen by God doesn't guarantee success, nor does it mean you will always make the right choices.  Peter may have thought he had nothing to fear as Jesus' right hand, and here Jesus is taken into custody and will most likely die.

How difficult is that to deal with?

We can see ourselves in Peter.  We are committed in our faith, but are we ready to die for it?

Once he lied and denied Christ, he couldn't change his story when challenged again and again.  He was now committed to continue the denial.

Peter is a reminder for all of us that we can be consumed with fear and fall away.  We may, at times, deny our faith or become frozen, unable to act on it.

And yet, like Peter, we can go on to lead the faithful in ways we don't expect.

We can be better than we believe we are.

This is the rock on which Jesus has built his church, the rock of faith that struggles at times with fear, uncertainty and doubt.

God knows we aren't perfect.  We were made that way so we would have to decide for ourselves.

When the choice is ours, we become stronger and more committed.

More to come...