PETER THE “ELDER”

1 Peter 5:1-7

To conclude our devotions on the life of Peter, I wish to summarise what I consider the important characteristics of Peter and the crucial events in his life. 

Peter was a fisherman. When he first appears on the pages of the Gospel, we see him mending his nets (Mark 1:19) This indicates he was diligent and responsible. In order to catch fish, one has to not only have a good knowledge of fish and their habits but, crucially, one needs a good net. If the net is not kept clean or has holes in it, then it will not catch any fish. Peter took the time to mend his nets. It speaks of a life that is kept disciplined and meaningful.

The spiritual application of this is that we, too, need to make sure that our “nets” are in good condition. In other words, our lives need to attract people to the Lord. We need to have no holes, loose ends or tangled knots. It is no good trying to influence others and “catch fish” if we are not ourselves spending time with him in prayer and submitting our own lives for him to work his will in us through the work of His Spirit.

On another occasion, we read how all the disciples were washing their nets (Luke 5:2). It is not good for us to live an undisciplined life in sinful ways. We need daily cleansing and washing through the reading of the Word of God and applying it to our lives in faith, and it is good to do it together with others.

It took many lessons for Peter to reach a place where God could use him. He was unstable, self-opinionated, preoccupied with his own life, and plagued with doubts. Despite his failings, he stuck with Jesus, and he was moulded into a new man.

At the end of his life, after many mistakes and failures and times of opposition and difficulty, Peter’s tender heart was still seeking “lost sheep”, encouraging weak followers, and tending to God’s “lambs”.

He is an inspiration to us all. Be a Peter and never give up, keep your heart tender and keep trusting Jesus despite hard times. Just as the Lord helped him, forgave him, and used him, so too the Lord is with you and will do the same with you as you follow him.

In closing, let me draw you to the opening and closing words of his last epistle when, as an old man, he had been through many trials and temptations and had experienced the amazing grace and pardon of God:

“…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
‭‭II Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”
‭‭II Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
‭‭II Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Just as the Lord called Peter so he has called you too. 

GOD BLESS YOU.