Simon-Peter

“The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” ― Michelangelo

Simon just coming onto shore and diligently washing his nets sees a rabbi preaching to the gathered crowd. The rabbi continually steps back to have room until he is in the water. Jesus looks at him with a question of ‘may I use your boat?” Peter nods his head and gestures in affirmation. Peter knows him. After all Andrew his brother had brought him to Jesus a few days before. Now he listens, careful not to let a word fall away. His heart was stirring and his mind filled with wonder and belief, questions, hopes, and dreams.

Who is Simon-Peter

Peter was one of the earliest followers of Jesus, both the synoptics and John’s Gospel affirm this. Peter lived in Capernaum but was from the small village up the coast called Bethsaida Jn 1:44

Simon was a fisherman in partnership with Andrew (his brother) and, James and John Matt. 4:18-22, Luke 5:1-11,

Peter was the son of Jonah (John 1:44)

Peter was married(Matt 8:14-15, 1 Cor. 9:5)

Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. Jn 1:42 and they spent an entire day with Jesus.

The invitation to be a disciple would come later as Luke 5:1-11 tells us.

The name Peter is mentioned the 2nd most frequently after Jesus in the Gospels.

Peter was the first missionary to the Gentiles Acts 10

The invitation is the expectation for Simon

Jesus challenged Peter to go against his instincts and what he knew about how to work to trust in the words of Jesus.

Jesus gave Simon a new name that he would aspire. Simon who is now Peter or rock was the designation by Jesus not about who Simon was at their meeting but who Simon-Peter will become.

In order to understand this we must look at the personality of Peter.

Peter was brash, impulsive, and unreliable. One minute he is charging in half cocked and the next fleeing for the hills. Peter allows fear to overcome his confidence in Jesus on the water and he sinks. His behavior in the Garden of Gethsemane,

Peter was harsh to judgement. “even if they all fall away, because of you I will never fall away”

Peter was to learning but lacked wisdom.

He often asked Jesus on behalf of the others to explain parables. He misses the point of the Mt. of Transfiguration. Peter rebukes Jesus’s words about his impending death on the cross. Peter goes back to fishing after Jesus’ ascension.

But the evidence of “rockness” was there as well.

Despite Simon-Peter’s short comings Jesus invited him to join his ministry.

Peter after the great catch of fish prostrated before Jesus and confessed his sinfulness and professed belief in Jesus.

Simon-Peter declared after Jesus’s hardest teaching that he and the others would not leave because Jesus had the words of life. Matt. 19:27

Peter was closest to Jesus of all the 12. Mark 16:7

Declared the revelation of Jesus’s identity in Matt 16:17-19

Peter was one of the three that witnessed the raising of Jairus’s daughter. Mark 5:37

Peter had the faith to get out of the boat and go to Jesus on the waves. Matt. 14:28-29

Peter drew his sword and attacked the high priest in the garden. Jn 18:10

Jesus removes the unnecessary pieces to reveal the beautiful statue inside

Jesus gave Simon a name that transformed his identity. Often in scripture when Simon-Peter is falling short of who Jesus calls him to be, he reverts back to calling him Simon. Almost saying “are you back to being who you were before?”

Likewise when scripture shows Simon-Peter living into his new identity in Jesus, he is called Peter. Almost saying “I knew you are all I hoped you to be”

Sculpting is a sometimes harsh work. It takes a strike from a hammer and chisel to fashion. Pieces fly and chunks are removed. Simon-Peter was recipient of several harsh rebukes by Jesus. Jesus revealed the behaviors and thoughts of Peter that would become a stumbling block. Peter heard “Get behind me Satan”, and “you could not keep watch for one hour?”, or “You will deny me three times.”, “Those who live by the sword die by the sword”

Peter heard the gentle work of sculpting.

Matthew 16:18–19“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.””

Jesus invited Peter to get out of the boat and come to him. Then when Peter began to sink Jesus reached down and pulled him up.

On that resurrection Sunday, Jesus told Mary to go and share the good news and to be sure to tell Peter. Mk 16:7

A week later Jesus met his disciples on the shoreline and shared a meal. To which Jesus forgave, restored, and empowered Peter to be all that Jesus knew him to be.

The result

Acts 2, Peter was the main speaker at the Pentecost. Acts 3, Peter healed the lame beggar. Peter was imprisoned, beaten, but never weak. Peter lead the Jerusalem Church and even mentored Paul. Peter discipled Clement of Rome of whom Eusebious writes

Even in death Peter did not deny Jesus. Early