According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "He apparently learned slowly and erred time and time again, but later, when entrusted with responsibility, he demonstrated that he was mature and capable."
Any way you look at Peter, he's an interesting fellow.
For instance, Jesus changes his name, from Simon, to Peter, right after Jesus asks him, "Who do you say I am?" (Matt. 16:16).
Simon tells him, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus congratulates him, changes Simon's name, and tells him that no one revealed that answer, but God. Then Jesus tells him, "You are Peter (which means small rock). And upon this [big] rock I will build my church." Matt. 16:17
According to scholars, there are two different meanings for rock in this quote. Peter's name comes from the Greek word petros, a piece of rock. But petra, the word Jesus was using for the foundation of the church, means a mass of rock.
If you keep these two different meanings of the word in mind, then a case could be made that Jesus was not necessarily indicating that Peter would be the foundation of the church.
Jesus was a deliberate, thoughtful person, and it would be just like him to use a play on words to single out Peter and, at the same time, keep him humble. Additionally, the literal translation from the Greek would bring us to the conclusion that of course, Jesus would want his foundation to be on a large mass of rock - not one individual human person, but on the entire teachings of Jesus.
Be that as it may, Peter certainly had a prominent position in that early community of Jesus' followers. And we'll take a look at a few verses, later on, that point to this.
Another interesting thing about Peter is that Jesus openly rebuked him more often than any other apostle. In fact, just a few verses after Jesus changes Peter's name, he begins to talk about how he would suffer and die, then be raised from the dead. Peter takes Jesus aside and reprimands him saying, "Heaven forbid. This will never happen to you!" (Matt. 16:22)
In response, Jesus tells Peter, "Get behind me Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not God's."
So it appears from this exchange, that Peter really didn't get what Jesus was talking about. In taking Jesus aside to admonish him, Peter wasn't speaking from a position of wisdom or understanding, but merely out of a strong desire and instinct to protect his leader.
Mark's gospel records that on the way to Gethsemane to pray the night Jesus was arrested, Jesus predicted that "all of you will desert me." (Mark 14:27). Peter almost immediately asserts, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will." To which Jesus replies, "I tell you the truth Peter - this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me."
Of course, Peter declares, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!" (Mark 14:31). Luke's recording of this incident includes Jesus telling Peter, "I have pleaded in prayer for you Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32).
That same evening Peter denied Jesus three times, as he stood in the courtyard while Jesus was being tried for blasphemy. Luke records Jesus looking across the courtyard directly at Peter the very moment of Peter's final denial. (Luke 23:61). One can only imagine the impact of that moment which resulted in Peter leaving the courtyard and "weeping bitterly." It was in Luke's telling of the betrayal that we find Jesus not only warning Peter, but letting Peter know he had been praying for Peter to repent afterwards, and then, in the humility and wisdom of that repentance, strengthen the other apostles, leading them by his example.
And John (21:15-17) records an incident after the Resurrection of Jesus, where Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Each time Peter replies, "You know that I do." Each time Jesus asks Peter to "feed my sheep." Again indicating the future role of Peter in the nurturing of the first community of followers of Jesus.
There's a storm at sea in the middle of the night. The disciples are stuck and see a being walking on the water towards them. They were terrified, thinking it was a ghost (Matt. 14:26). Jesus assures them it's him.
Peter calls out, "If it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." Jesus tells him to go for it.
Peter steps over the side of the boat and begins to walk on water towards Jesus. But when Peter begins to focus on the wind and the waves, he starts to sink. "Save me Lord!" he shouts. (Matt. 14:29). Jesus immediately reaches out his hand and grabs him, saying to Peter: "You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?"
Peter was one of three apostles that Jesus took with him to a high mountain, where Jesus was transfigured before them - being in the presence of Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:1-8). Peter says, "Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials - one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But when God the Father says, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him," they are absolutely terrified and fall face down.
Through all the rebukes, Peter keeps on trying. He doesn't seem capable of giving up. Often wavering, but he keeps stumbling towards Jesus. Wanting desperately to have a deeper relationship with Jesus, but often not having a clue how to accomplish this. And here-in lies a lesson for Advent which occurs this year from December 3 to December 24.
Traditionally, this is a time set aside to contemplate the meaning of Jesus' birth. A time to prepare our hearts to receive the message of the incarnation in a new way.
Consider spending part of your Advent contemplating the life of Peter.
Peter could be, at times, so determined, and yet so dense; able to fly off the handle, and yet, full of love for the other apostles and followers of Jesus.
In a word, Peter, like us, was human.
He quite often stumbled. Often spoke up before he knew what he was saying.
Yet Jesus saw fit to change his name and call him a rock.
During this Advent season, Peter's life is worth reviewing.
Photo Credits: top Ephesus Tour; middle Jesusway4you; bottom Christian Faith Ministries.
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