to go to Jesus."
Peter, firm in belief and strong in determination, when your eye sees
only the majesty of faith and the perfect manifestation of its power!
Mighty and fearless when your eye sees only the glory of God, and your
soul cries out to go to Him!
[Sidenote: His Doubt.]
But when you see "the wind boisterous," you are afraid; and beginning
to sink, cry, saying, "Lord, save me."
So it is in life: when the winds of temptation and the waves of despair
beat upon us, the eye of faith is turned more upon these raging
elements than upon the Light of Life, the power of faith is thus
weakened, and as Peter, we begin to sink. Too many, ah, too many go
down beneath the billows; only a few cry out as he. "Lord, save us!"
And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and
said unto him, "O, thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
ANOTHER TEST
[Sidenote: In Capernaum.]
Next morning, the people in Capernaum who knew that Peter and the other
disciples had left the opposite shore without Jesus, were very much
astonished to see Him in their midst, and said, Rabbi, when camest thou
hither?
"Ye seek me," answered Jesus, "not because ye saw the miracles, but
because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."
[IMAGE: "Lord, save me."]
"Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto
you." [2]
[Sidenote: Sermon on the Bread of Life.]
He then delivered the famous sermon on the Bread of Life, part of
which, as John remembered it, is recorded in John the sixth chapter.
There were so many things spoken which the Jews could not understand,
because of their prejudice, that they first became confused, then
angry, and finally much offended. Those who had only a little faith,
became influenced by the murmuring crowd, and said, "We don't believe
this man is the Son of God." Even some of His disciples turned away
from the Truth, and "walked no more with Him."
[Sidenote: Men Swerved by Doubt.]
The mass of angry men and women became much like the heaving sea that
tossed the disciples the evening before. The winds of ridicule and the
waves of discontent beat against the wavering disciples. As they looked
upon these angry elements of human passion, their faith in Christ
weakened, and they "began to sink."
[Sidenote: Jesus Appeals to the Twelve.]
In vain, Jesus testified, "It is I, the Son of man!" They would not
listen to Him, for He was to them only the son of Joseph the carpenter.
As group after group turned their backs upon Him. He turned to the
Twelve and said, "Will ye also go away?"
[Sidenote: Peter's Answer.]
Again it was Peter who broke the silence. With the others, he had
looked at the noisy crowd, with the others he had listened to the
angry words hurled at their Master. In the midst of this sea of human
passion, shall he say, "Lord, if it be Thee, bid me come unto Thee?"
As if he wavered just a little, as if his faith had not yet become as
firm as Jesus would have it become, he answered, "Lord, to whom shall
we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."
[Sidenote: Belief Matures into Knowledge.]
Then, as his assurance became stronger and his thoughts turned from
the apostate crowd, he added, "And we _believe_--and are _sure_ that
thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Though there came not
from Jesus' lips at this time, the word "Blessed," yet, undoubtedly, He
was gratified indeed to see the wavering faith of His disciples become
steadfast in the heart of His Apostles, as if they would say,
"Then come the wild weather, come sleet or come snow,
We will stand by each other, however it blow.
Oppression and sickness, and sorrow, and pain
Shall be to our true love as links in a chain."
Footnotes:
1. Matt. 14:28.
2. John 6:25-27.
LESSON 6
Peter's Testimony
[Sidenote: At Tyre and Sidon.]
Very soon after the people of Capernaum rejected the Savior, as
narrated in the previous chapter, Jesus took His Twelve disciples
westward across Galilee into the land of Tyre and Sidon, near the
Mediterranean Sea. He desired to be alone with the Twelve that He might
teach them many things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and thus
prepare them for carrying on the work, after He should leave them.
There were many things happened on this tour which must have made it
a memorable one to Peter and the other members of the Twelve. First,
there was the Gentile woman who sought Jesus, and implored Him to come
and heal her little daughter.
[Sidenote: A Syro-Phoenician Woman.]
Because she did not belong to the Jewish race, the disciples said:
"Master, send this woman away, for she is a trouble to us, crying out
after us." Of course, they thought then, and a long time afterwards,
that the Gospel was only for the Jews. But Jesus taught them that He
loved the Gentile woman just as well as He did the Jews. But Peter did
not fully understand.
[Sidenote: Other Miracles.]
From the coast of Tyre and Sidon, they traveled around Galilee and came
to the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Here the disciples witnessed
further manifestations of the power of Jesus. A deaf man who could not
speak plainly was made to hear and to speak; and when the people heard
about it, they followed Jesus and the Twelve out of the village into "a
desert place."
Again Peter saw a multitude of people fed; this time from only seven
loaves and a few small fishes.
It would seem that after all these months with the Savior--hearing His
parables, seeing His miracles, feeling His spirit and receiving His
teachings daily, the apostles would surely understand the mission of
the Redeemer.
[Sidenote: Jesus' Sayings Not Understood.]
But we read that after these "four thousand men besides women and
children" were fed, the disciples entered with Jesus into a boat and
rowed across to the west side of the lake. Here they met some Pharisees
and Sadducees who began to oppose Jesus. When He and the Twelve were
alone again, He said: "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees and of the Sadducees."
You know what Jesus meant when He said this; but the disciples said to
themselves, "He says this 'because we have brought no bread.'"
When Jesus saw that they did not comprehend Him, He said: "How is
it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning
bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees?"
"Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of
bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." [1]
Undoubtedly, there were several among them whose testimony was
becoming firm and unwavering. At any rate, we learn that just a few
days later, the chief apostle gave evidence in words that could not be
misunderstood, of his sure conviction that Christ was indeed the Son of
the Living God.
[Sidenote: Peter's Memorable Testimony.]
They had gone northward to Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mount
Hermon. Here, Jesus, one day, asked His disciples this question: "Who
do men say that I, the Son of man, am?"
They answered, "Some say thou art John the Baptist. Some say thou art
Elias, and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets."
Then Jesus said, "But who say ye that I am?"
Simon Peter answered,
"_Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God_."
There is no hesitancy now, no fear, no wavering, no "we believe and are
sure;" but the unqualified and direct expression of a soul convinced of
the truth: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
"_Blessed_ art thou, Simon Barjona," said Jesus, "for flesh and blood
hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." [2]
At last Jesus discovers the assurance in Peter for which He has been
laboring many months to develop. He now knows that Peter's spirit
has received divine assurance that all these miracles and mighty
manifestations have been wrought by the power of God through His only
Begotten Son. He knows that the testimony borne by Peter comes not from
men but from God, and no matter what men may think or do, Peter will
stand firm as a rock on this testimony.
"I say unto thee," continued Jesus, "that thou art Peter, and upon this
rock will I build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it."
[Sidenote: Christ's Church Built Upon Revelation.]
By that He meant that as Simon's name "Peter" means rock, so this
testimony that comes by revelation shall be the rock upon which
Christ's Church shall be built. Because when one receives such divine
assurance in his soul that the gospel is true, no views of men, nor
waves of temptation nor "the power of hell" can deprive him of it. You
remember when Jesus first met Simon, He said He should be called "the
Rock." Ever since then it would seem that Jesus has been waiting for
the time when Peter's testimony would be like his character--expressive
and firm. That time has come; and Peter is now prepared to receive a
greater responsibility.
[Sidenote: Keys of the Kingdom]
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and
whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
One key was to open the door of the gospel to the Gentiles, but it took
quite a while before Peter knew how to use it.
It is one thing to know that the gospel is true; it is quite another
thing to comprehend its purpose and significance.
[Sidenote: Jesus Foretells His Death.]
From that time, Jesus began to tell the Apostles that He would suffer
and die, and that they must carry on the preaching of the gospel. He
told them that in a few months He would be taken by the chief priests,
would be killed, and would rise again the third day.
[Sidenote: Misguided Zeal.]
When Peter heard this, he took the Savior off to one side, and still
hoping that Jesus would some day be a king, said, "Far be it from Thee,
Lord; this shall not be unto Thee." As much as to say, "They shall not
take you if we can prevent it."
[Sidenote: Rebuked Peter.]
Brave but uncomprehending Peter! He does not realize that it is
necessary for his Lord to die, before His mission of redemption is
fulfilled. So he would, in his blinded love, prevent his Master from
completing His work! The Savior perceiving this, turned and said unto
Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me; for
thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
[3]
This was a severe rebuke, and it must have impressed Peter deeply with
the thought that his plan was not God's plan; and he no doubt realized
that there was yet very much for him to learn before he could carry
out the great responsibility that the Lord had this day conferred upon
him. But in his zeal to save Jesus from death, he erred, though only in
love; and we can fancy hearing one of the others saying, in effect, in
commendation of Peter's anxiety,
"If he be not one that truly loves you,
That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest man's face."
At any rate, we know that Jesus was pleased with Peter's testimony, and
with his love, and would patiently wait the unfolding of his mind in
the comprehension of the gospel plan.
Footnotes:
1. Matt. 16:1-12.
2. Matt. 16:13-20.
3. Matt. 16:16-23.
LESSON 7
A Marvelous Manifestation
[Sidenote: The Holy Mount.]
In the region of Caesarea Philippi, where Peter gave his testimony and
received a blessing and power from his Master, is a high mountain peak
of the Lebanon range, known as Mt. Hermon. Peter called it the Holy
Mount. When you learn of what took place there, you will agree that
Peter gave it a good name.
One writer who has visited this region tells us that the "glittering
splendor" of this peak, "towering like a giant above all other peaks
of the Lebanon range, its head always covered with snow, is visible
from every direction. It is in clear view as far south as the Dead
Sea. It was probably the highest spot of earth on which our Lord ever
stood, and from which He had His most extensive view. From it He looked
down upon Galilee, where He had taught and wrought, where He had been
received by the few and rejected by the many." [1]
[Sidenote: Self-Denial Necessary.]
Six days, (Luke says eight) had passed since Peter had borne his great
testimony--six days, undoubtedly of important instruction to Peter and
the other eleven. It was probably during that time that the Twelve
learned that to be a true follower of Jesus, one must be able to deny
one's self of many desires and appetites--one must learn to control
feelings of anger, jealousy, and other passions. Said the Savior, "If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me.
"For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it:
"And whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose
his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" [2]
These and many other glorious truths, Peter undoubtedly heard during
that memorable week at Caesarea Philippi.
But he was to see and hear things even more glorious.
Still perplexed over some of the sayings of Jesus, still wondering
why it was necessary for their Lord to "suffer many things, and be
rejected" and even put to death, Peter and James and John one night,
accompanied Jesus up the side of Mt. Hermon. It appears from the brief
accounts we have of this incident that they spent several hours in
solemn conversation, the apostles "asking Him many questions concerning
His sayings."
[Sidenote: The Transfiguration.]
Twilight deepened into darkness, and the shades of night completely hid
Mt. Hermon from the sleeping vales below. Perhaps the three leaders
became drowsy; and as their Lord withdrew a little apart to pray, they
may have fallen, for a moment or two, into a sleep--Luke tells us that
they were "heavy with sleep." Be that as it may, we know that when
their eyes were turned toward Jesus, "He was transfigured before them.
And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so white as no
fuller on earth can white them."
"And there appeared unto them Elias and Moses, and they were talking
with Jesus." [3]
[Sidenote: Death but a Change.]
These heavenly personages talked, not _to_ Jesus but _with_ him, about
His approaching death, and resurrection, one of the vital things in
Christ's ministry which Peter could not comprehend. Surely after this
glorious vision of two heavenly beings. Death would lose much if not
all its terror for Peter, James, and John. They would know that even if
wicked men did kill their Master, that He would still live and still
be their Lord and Savior. Death, to them, after this, would be just a
"departure." They would realize that "Death hath nothing terrible in
it, but what life hath made so."
[Sidenote: "It is Good to be Here."]
Peter by inspiration had received assurances that Jesus was indeed the
Christ; now he witnessed a visible sign of his testimony. Desiring
to have a monument to this outward sign, something which other eyes
beside his might behold, he cried, out of the impulsiveness of his
heart, "Master, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three
tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." But
suddenly, as Moses and Elias "departed," a cloud overshadowed them and
a voice came _out of the cloud_ saying, "_This_ is My beloved Son hear
Him!"
[Sidenote: Sources of Testimony.]
Peter's testimony was, by this time, made strong and his faith proved:
[4]
(1) By the confirmation of miracles; (2) By seeing heavenly beings; (3)
By inspiration; (4) By hearing not only the testimony of these angels
but the Divine testimony of God Himself!
Surely his faith is now built upon the Rock, and the gates of hell
cannot prevail against it!
This is true; and henceforth, we may safely conclude as we follow his
career, that not a shadow of doubt of the divinity of Christ's mission
ever crosses Peter's mind.
When we think of Peter having been in almost daily contact with the
Savior of men, we may conclude that his testimony grew very slowly,
but if so, like the oak tree that grows slowly to, it was all the more
enduring.
[Sidenote: Purity and Sincerity Essentials.]
After all, Peter's experience is the experience that will come to
nearly all the boys and girls who read these pages. The knowledge
of truth, and the testimony of the Gospel may come gradually to most
of them. The one great lesson for them to learn even in youth is,
that _purity of thought_, and a _sincere heart seeking_ the Savior's
_guidance daily_ will lead to a testimony of the truth of Christ's
Gospel as sure and permanent as that which Peter possessed as he
descended Mt. Hermon after seeing the transfiguration of Christ, and
hearing the voice of God testify to His divinity.
But _knowing_ that Jesus is the Savior of mankind, did not give Peter
a comprehension of the Gospel plan. In this regard, he had yet much
to learn. And, it may be, that his strength of character, or shall we
say, his judgment, was not yet so sound as it should have been in a man
whose whole life should be as firm as a rock.
In the strength of his testimony, and in a somewhat resigned attitude
to the fate that sooner or later was to befall his Master, Peter
continued to ask many questions, pertaining to the vital aspects of
Christ's mission. One of these which the apostles asked themselves as
they came down towards the crowd at the foot of the hill, was, What did
the Master mean when He said the Son of Man would rise from the dead?
While the Savior was answering this question, and explaining prophecies
relating to it, they came to the place where, the evening before, they
had left the other disciples. A great multitude had gathered about
them, and the scribes were questioning them.
[Sidenote: The Afflicted Boy.]
In the midst of this crowd was a little boy sorely afflicted by an evil
spirit. When he was "possessed," he fell to the ground, foamed at the
mouth, gnashed his teeth, and pined away. The father met Jesus, and
begged Him to relieve his poor boy, and added that the disciples had
tried but could not.
"How long a time is it," asked Jesus, "since this came unto him?" "When
a child," the father said; "and ofttimes it hath cast him into fire and
into the waters, to destroy him, but if thou canst, I ask thee to have
compassion on us, and help us."
Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, and the little boy was healed.
[Sidenote: A Contrast.]
To Peter, James, and John what a contrast was this scene to the one
they beheld the night before on the Mount! Here was manifest the power
of the evil one, causing suspicions, pain, agony, death; _there_ was
manifest the power of the Holy One, proclaiming happiness, peace,
glory, and immortality! Such have been the results of these two powers
as they have influenced the lives of men in all ages. Such is the
result today. A vital question for us is, Shall we hover around the
foothills of sin where the evil one is triumphant, or shall we at least
show a willingness to climb the mount of Holiness and let God transform
our lives?
"'Tis not for man to trifle; life is brief,
And sin is here.
Our age is but the falling leaf,
A dropping tear.
We have no time to sport away the hours,
All must be earnest in a world like ours."
Footnotes:
1. Weed.
2. Matt. 16:24-26.
3. Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:1-6.
4. Peter 1:7.
LESSON 8
Lessons in True Leadership.
"Character is built out of circumstances. From exactly the same
materials one man builds palaces, while another builds hovels."
Between the Transfiguration and the last eventful week of the Savior's
life on earth, there are only a few recorded instances in scripture
with which Peter is personally mentioned. It is significant, however,
that nearly everyone of these, bears either directly or indirectly
upon the moulding of Peter's character as an Apostolic leader. Peter
knows that Jesus is the Christ that should come, but has he strength to
defend Him in word and deed? Does he comprehend the divine principles
of the Gospel sufficiently to manifest them in his daily life and
conversation and in all his associations with his fellowmen? With the
probable exception of the tribute money incident, which emphasized for
Peter the divine Sonship of his Master, all the lessons following bear
directly upon strength of character and principles of conduct.
TRIBUTE
[Sidenote: An Ancient Law.]
In those days, there was a tax levied upon every male Jew of twenty
years old and upwards for the maintenance of the Temple and its
services. This law had been in force ever since the days of the
children of Israel when the great lawgiver, Moses, said a "half shekel
shall be the offering of the Lord." [1]
Matthew tells us that "When they were come to Capernaum, they that
received tribute money, came to Peter and said, "Doth not your Master
pay tribute?" [2] "Yes," promptly answered Peter.
If he knew when he was talking to the tax-gatherers, that "there was
no money in the bag," he must have wondered how the half-shekel due as
tribute could have been paid that day.
[Sidenote: Children of the Kingdom Free.]
When Peter went back into the house, Jesus anticipated what he was
going to say, and asked Him, "Of whom do the kings of the earth take
custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
"Of strangers," answered Peter.
"Then are the children free," said Jesus, meaning that since this
tribute money was for the maintenance of His Father's house, He, the
Son, would not have to pay it; but he added:
"Lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook and
take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his
mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take and give unto them
for me and thee."
This experience must have impressed Peter with the fact that it is
better to suffer offense than to give offense.
A LESSON IN FORGIVENESS
About this same time, Peter asked the question:
"Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till
seven times?" [3]
Perhaps Peter had already been required to settle some difficulty
between angry men, or it may be that he had been provoked during a
dispute that arose among the disciples as to who was the greatest
among them. If some one had taunted him several times about his being
the greatest, it is quite probable that his patience was exhausted.
At any rate, he wanted to know if there is a limit to the number of
times a man should forgive his brother. What a lesson Jesus taught this
impetuous apostle when he answered,
"I say not unto thee, until seven times; but until seventy times
seven." [4]
Then, to make the teaching more impressive, the Lord told them the
parable of the unmerciful debtor.
A certain king took account of his servants for those who had collected
his revenue, and found that one owed him ten thousand talents or about
fifteen million dollars. This debt the servant could not pay, so the
king commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that
he had. [5]
The servant begged for mercy saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and
I will pay thee all."
"Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed
him, and forgave him the debt." The master not only had pity for the
unfortunate debtor, but freed him from prison, let him keep his wife
and children, and cancelled the debt.
[Sidenote: The Ungrateful Servant.]
But that same servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who
owed him a hundred pence, more than ten hundred thousand times less
than the first servant had owed his master.
Seizing the fellow-servant by the throat and choking him, he demanded,
"Pay me that thou owest."
The fellow-servant fell down at his feet and begged for mercy, "Have
patience with me and I will pay thee all."
But the unforgiving, merciless servant refusing to give pity, "went and
cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt."
So when the Lord heard how the servant whom he had forgiven had treated
his fellow-servant, he called that servant back, and said:
"O thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all that debt, because thou
desiredst me; should not thou also have had compassion on thy
fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?"
This unforgiving servant was then told to pay the ten thousand talents,
and was delivered over to the "tormentors" until it was all paid.