Lessons from the Life of Peter

(These lessons are written by Nicholas one of the members of our Church, we hope you enjoy reading them.)

Peter confesses Christ

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Mathew 16 v 13 - 17

The Old testament speaks on many occasions of "The Christ", "The Messiah" who has to come to save his people. For example we read in Isaiah:

" For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon his shoulder. And he will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. " Isaiah 9 v.6

" Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted, But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; Isaiah 53 v. 4, 5a.

In Zechariah we read:

" ..... Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. "

Zechariah 9 v. 9

Peter would have known something of the Scriptures from his childhood. He would look with expectancy for "The Christ," "The Messiah".

However, when realisation finally broke through for Peter, Jesus commended him not because he was a Scholar in the Scriptures but because God had revealed the truth to him.

When we read the Scriptures, they can be dry and hard to grasp. We need to pray to God to help us read them with the Holy Spirits illumination. Then what was closed to us can be open and Oh, what a delight it is when God opens the Scriptures and we see truths we had missed before.

Glimpses of truth thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key

That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see;

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Clara H. Scott & Frederick P. Morris