NOT THE ROCK BUT LIKE A ROCK

Peter was not the rock of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. (Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45). But he was rock like in character. He was a respected citizen of the province of Galilee. He became a foundation member of the Christian Church. He was a person who could be relied on.

Notice firstly his strength of character ...

IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS

The authors of the four Gospels never contradict each other. The records they have left us of the life of Jesus and the people associated with him complement each other. The story of Jesus’ calling of Peter to follow him is told by three of the Gospel writers. Putting the three accounts together we learn that Peter was involved in a large and successful fishing business. He and his brother Andrew and their business partners employed a large number of people.

The waters of the fresh water Lake Galilee are crystal clear. The IVF Bible Dictionary[1] tells us that “The Lake is 2 km long and up to 11 km broad and it lies at 211 metres below sea level.” It is not surprising that an extensive fishing industry flourished around its shores. The industry gave rise to a thriving export market as fish was a staple food in the region. People did eat meat but probably not more than about once a week. Salted and dried fish was sent far and wide over the region’s trade routes. The importance of the fishing industry is reflected in the meaning of some of the names of the towns around the shores of the lake. The meaning of Bethsaida for example is “house of fish’ or “fisherman’s house.” the meaning of Tarichaeae (Magdala) is “the place of salted fish.”

The lake still provides a livelihood for fishermen. Fred Wight[2] writes, “A few years ago, A. C. Haddad, a native of Syria and a twentieth century resident of Palestine, counted sixty men, all of them Arabs, as earning their living as Peter did by fishing in the Sea of Galilee.” One of the fish found in the lake has been named Chromis Simonis after Simon Peter.[3]

Of all the people Jesus saw that day as he walked along the shores of the lake, he called just Peter and his brother and two others to follow him. They were to become “fishers of men.” He would call others later to join them. Notice the strength of Peter’ character ...

IN HIS RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF JESUS

Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. John tells the story ...

   The following day, John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and then declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” Then John’s two disciples turned and followed Jesus.

   Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

   They replied, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

   “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place, and they stayed there the rest of the day.

   Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who had heard what John said and then followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, “We have found  the Messiah (which means the Christ).

   Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “You are Simon, the son of John—but you will be called Cephas.”  (John 1:35-42).

Cephas is an Aramaic word meaning ‘rock’. Jesus’ choice of this word suggests that Peter’s native language was Aramaic. From that time on Peter would have had a lot to think about: Andrew’s claim to have found the Messiah, why such large crowds were gathering to hear Jesus’ teaching, and the new name ‘a rock’, which Jesus gave him, would have given him much food for thought. On this occasion so many people had gathered on the shore to listen to Jesus that he asked Peter to row him further out on the lake. Sitting in the boat alongside Jesus, something stirred in Peter’s heart as he listened. Andrew and Philip’s conclusion (John 1:41, 45) that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah was slowly becoming Peter’s conviction also.

Jesus knew that the fishing of the night before had been unsuccessful. And so after he had finished teaching he suggested to Peter that he go further out and let down the nets once more. This suggestion would have gone against Peter’s own judgement of the situation. In his experience fishermen only fished in deep water during the night. During the day they usually only caught fish in the shallows. They had caught none after fishing all night in deep waters  so what was the sense in going out now. Peter may have wondered, “What does a teacher know about fishing?” But out into the deep they went. And they caught so many fish that the weight of the catch began to tear the nets. Peter signalled quickly to his business partners to help them bring in the catch. It was one of the largest of his career.

Back on the shore Peter was overwhelmed. And no wonder. A teacher from Nazareth could not have directed him like that. The creator of the fish himself had been with them out in the deep waters of Lake Galilee. That realisation humbled Peter and convicted him of his sinfulness. He responded to Jesus’ call ‘Come follow me’ with the same strength of character that he was known for in the business world. Peter’s business partners joined him in his strong commitment to follow Jesus. They made arrangements with Zebedee, the father of James and John, to look after the business. Then they “pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed him.” (Mark 1:20, Luke 5:11).

The strength of Peter’s character is also seen ...

IN HIS FAMILY LIFE

The Home In Capernaum

Peter lived in the village of Capernaum. John’s reference to him being “from the town of Bethsaida,” (John 1:44), could indicate that he was born there. Or his name could have been associated with that town because of frequent visits there on business. Bethsaida was an important centre for the fishing industry. Peter may even have maintained an office there.

Capernaum was situated on the northern shores of Lake Galilee. It occupied an area about 800 by 250 metres. The IVF Bible Dictionary[4] states that excavations in the area have revealed a shrine, “sited exactly over the main room of a house built in the first century BC.” The original walls of the house were incorporated into the shrine. On the plastered walls a number of Greek words may still be seen. These include the words amen, Lord, and Jesus. The house is just one block of houses from the synagogue and may well have been the home of Peter.

The Extended Family

As is still the custom in the Middle east and many other parts of the world, members of Peter’s extended family shared his home or lived in a cluster of houses around him. Peter’s mother in law and his brother Andrew lived in his home. (Mark 1:29-30). It is more than likely that Jesus stayed with Peter’s family while teaching and travelling in Galilee. Peter was a good family man. He worked hard in the family business, being willing, as we have already noted, to work right through the night even if his efforts were unrewarded.

Sickness In The Home

Peter was always concerned for the well being of each member of the family. When his mother in law became ill for example, he quickly gathered the family to discuss what to do. As the fever raged in her body they would have discussed the traditional remedy for such an illness. Alfred Edersheim[5] and William Barclay[6] both describe this traditional treatment. Barclay writes ...

   A knife wholly made of iron was tied by a braid of hair to a thorn bush. On successive days there was repeated, first, Exodus 3:2-3, second, Exodus 3:4, and finally Exodus 3:5. Then a certain magical formula was pronounced and thus the cure was supposed to be achieved.

Peter’s decision to follow Jesus prevailed in the discussion however so that the decision was made, not to seek healing by way of the mystical and religious, but by prayer and faith. “They told Jesus about her,” (Mark 1:30), and asked him “to help her.” (Luke 4:38). The Lord responded immediately. A gentle touch upon her hand and the burning fever subsided. She was then able to get up and prepare food for the family. In the statement ‘she got up at once and began to wait on them,’ (Mark 1:31), the Greek word translated ‘wait on’ is the word from which the English word ‘deacon’ is derived. Among those of Peter’s family now following Jesus, his mother in law may perhaps be considered as one of the first deaconesses of the Church!

Another area of his life where Peter’s rock like character may be seen is ... 

IN HIS FAITH

Concerning The Person Of Christ

 Peter worked his way through doubts and questions, troubles and trials, to become strong in his faith. In matters of faith he grew to be a person of substance. Apart from the possible help he gave to Mark in the writing of the Gospel bearing Mark’s name, he wrote at least two letters that have been accepted as part of the inspired Scriptures. In his second letter he wrote ...

   We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory saying, ‘This is my Son whom I love. With him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (2 Peter 1:16-18).

Peter’s faith was formed on the basis of what he saw and heard of the life of Christ. He made decisions about the questions and issues that confronted him as he came to know the Lord in the course of everyday life. Like the time Jesus was discussing his identity with the disciples in Caesarea Philippi.

   When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

   “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

   Then he asked them, “Who do you say I am?”

   Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16).

Peter was strong in his affirmation that Jesus was the Messiah people had been waiting for. One thing troubled Peter however. He did not understand at that time that the Messiah “must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Matthew 16:21-28). He thought of Jesus as Messiah but only in the role of a national leader. Many Jewish people then and now have grappled with the problem of reconciling the Biblical predictions which speak of a Messiah king and those which speak of a suffering Messiah. Some tried to resolve the problem by suggesting that the Scriptures speak of the coming of two Messiahs, the one as a king and the other as a saviour. John Ankerberg[7] explains that the victorious conquering Messiah they called “Messiah ben Joseph” and the suffering dying Messiah they named “Messiah ben David.”

Peter came to understand that Jesus filled both roles. On the day of Pentecost he gave a well thought out account of the life of Jesus to several thousand people gathered in Jerusalem. These excerpts from his message speak of Jesus as the Messiah who has both suffered and rules.

   Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus who you crucified, both Lord and Christ ... this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. (Acts 2:36, 3:18).

Peter’s strong faith is also evident in his views ...

Concerning Creation And The Flood

Peter had confidence in the Biblical account of creation and the flood that occurred in the days of Noah. He believed that God had created all things. (vs. 4-5). He believed that the flood was world wide. (vs. 6). Peter also believed that when this present world comes to an end God will create a new heaven and earth. (vs.13).

We now need to ask the question about what Jesus meant by his statement ...

ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

Jesus’ reply to Peter’s affirmation that he, Jesus, was the Messiah and the Son of God, has been variously interpreted. What did Jesus mean when 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.” (Matthew 16:18). There are at least five possible ways of looking at the statement.

The Affirmation Peter Made About Jesus is the Rock

In the context of Jesus’ conversation with his disciples we may understand him as saying to Peter that the statement Peter made about him being the Messiah was the rock on which he would build his church. In this view the fact of Jesus being the Messiah is the rock.

The Teaching of Jesus is the Rock

In the wider context of Scripture, we may understand the teaching of Jesus to be the rock on which he builds his church. Jesus presented this concept in his story about a wise man who built his house on a rock foundation and a foolish man who built on sand. Jesus said then that the rock foundation pictured his teaching. He said that we were to build our lives on that secure foundation. (Matthew 7:24-27).

Jesus Himself is the Rock

Considered in the light of the whole of Scripture we may also take the view that Jesus was referring to himself as the rock. It was the outstanding Jewish scholar and Christian missionary Paul who saw a picture of Christ in events associated with the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt. Paul wrote, “They were all baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them. And that rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Peter and the Apostles Are Part of the Foundation

It is also possible to see in Jesus’ statement an oblique reference to Peter as being part of the foundation on which the church is built. Paul wrote of this to Christians in Ephesus. “You are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-20).

Peter is the Rock

William Barclay[8] suggests yet another possible way of looking at Jesus’ statement. Barclay notes that Jewish Rabbis referred to Abraham as the rock on which the nation of Israel was built. This view arises from the call of Isaiah to his people, “Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who gave you birth.” (Isaiah 51:1-2). From this it is possible to understand Jesus as saying to Peter that just as Abraham was the foundation person of the people of Israel, so Peter would be the foundation person of the new Israel, the Church. Paul uses this picture of the Church when he refers to the Church as the “Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16). Barclay[9] writes,

   The word that Jesus almost certainly used was ‘quahal’ which is the word the Old Testament writers used for ‘the congregation of Israel,’ the gathering of the people of the Lord. What Jesus said to Peter was, ‘Peter, you are the beginning of the new Israel, the new people of the Lord, the new fellowship of those who believe in my name.’ ... What began with Peter was the fellowship of all believers in Jesus Christ, not identified with any church and not limited to any church, but embracing all who love the Lord.

Perhaps Jesus had all of these factors in mind when he said to Peter, “And on this rock I will build my church.” Certainly, if we put all of these insights together we have a sure foundation for our faith, a solid rock on which to stand.

Peter was rock like in his business life, in his family life, and in his faith. But he was human. We can see in Peter’s life what we may call ‘the humanness of all believers.’ Like us he experienced ...

TIMES OF WEAKNESS

In two situations at least, we find Peter anything but rock like. One was at the time of the trial of Jesus in the religious court of the Jewish High Priest. There we hear ...

A Denial When Affirmation Was Most Needed

Three times Peter was asked if he was a follower of Jesus. First by a servant girl on duty at the entrance to the courtyard of the High Priest and then twice more in the courtyard. On each occasion Peter strongly denied his Lord. Rock like Peter had turned to jelly. The night air was cold. Cold and lonely, Peter tried to warm himself alongside a fire in the courtyard. He no longer felt the warmth of God’s love in his heart.

Another occasion when Peter’s faith burned low was after Jesus’ resurrection. He was ...

Slow to Believe That Jesus Was Alive

Mary, from the fishing village of Magdala, was one of the first to discover that the tomb of Jesus was empty. She ran quickly to tell Peter and John. They then went to check it out for themselves. John was quick to realise the significance of the empty tomb. Jesus had risen from among the dead. Peter however, like many of the disciples, was confused.

In the days that followed, Jesus appeared on a number of occasions to the disciples. As the evidence for his resurrection grew, their doubts and confusion began to subside. But they were still not quite able to put it all together. That would happen for them several weeks later on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would fill their lives with the reality of the presence of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. While they were trying to sort things out, Peter decided one morning that it was all too hard and gave up. He decided to go back to the world he knew. He would resume his business career. “I’m going out to fish,” he said. The other disciples caught his mood of discouragement and made the same decision. “We’ll go with you,” they said. (John 21:1-3).

But it was not the end of Peter’s faith. When he and his friends had reached the lowest point in their discouragement, Jesus again burst into their lives. They didn’t recognise him at first but after following his directions as to where to throw their nets and catching a record number of fish, they remembered a previous occasion when the same thing had happened. The truth began to dawn on them. It was Jesus. A little later they ate breakfast with him on the shore. As he “took bread and gave it to them ... they knew it was the Lord.” (John 21:4-14). It was then that Peter made ...

A FRESH COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE LORD

Three times in the presence of the servants of the High Priest, Peter had denied his Lord. Now in the presence of his fellow disciples he renews his commitment to follow Jesus.

There in the freshness of the morning air on the shores of his much loved Lake Galilee, Peter once more basks in the love of his Lord. And here Jesus draws another word picture of Peter’s coming service. As well as fisher of men he will be a shepherd of sheep.

Ó
 

 And this time their nets were
so full they began to tear.
(Luke 5:6)