Laughing at Peter
“‘Lord, if it is you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said . . . But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” – Matthew 14:28-30
Last night a friend invited me to a men’s study at his church. I usually don’t go to men’s groups, but this man attends my Friday night group and I wanted to support him.
In the course of the evening, we began to talk about Peter. Someone labeled this preeminent Apostle of Christ “Peter the Water Walker,” and every time someone said it, it generated a laugh. The conversation then recounted all Peter’s failures: sinking in the waves; the desire to build shelters for Moses, Elijah and Jesus; denying Jesus during His trial; separating from the Gentiles and hanging out with the Jews. The consensus was unanimous – we don’t want to be like Peter.
The tone of this conversation began to bother me, for it is contemplating Peter’s failures that give me such comfort in my own walk with Christ. Yes, Peter did sink, but he also had the temerity to step out of the boat when his peers were too afraid to do so. True, Peter didn’t know what he was talking about when he suggested building shelters on the Mount of Transfiguration, but he was one of only three men invited to the event. Peter, like Judas, denied his Savior. But he also chose to hang out and take his lumps, only to find out that Jesus hadn’t given up on him. Yes, Peter made a mistake by separating from the Gentiles, but he listened to Paul and changed his ways.
Finally, at the end of his life, Peter’s dedication to Christ led to his own crucifixion by Emperor Nero. Before they crucified Peter, tradition tells the Romans forced him to watch his wife crucified before him. His only words to his wife were, “Remember the Lord.” Finally, Peter requested to be crucified upside down, feeling he was not worth to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord.
Knowing this about Peter gives me comfort because, in many ways, I’m like Peter. I, too, am prone to leap before I think, only to sink when I take my eyes off Jesus. I’m quite capable of getting my mouth in gear before my brain is engaged; of denying my Lord in so many ways by choosing my will over His; of making major social blunders. Jim, just like Peter, is still in the process of growing in the character of Christ. In the end, Peter finished his life well, and for all his initial mistakes, he lived in a manner that gave glory to God.
That’s why Peter gives me hope. For all my mistakes, blunders, stupid conversations, denials and social mishaps, I’m still capable of living and dying well. I told the men’s group that anyone who can delight in laughing at Peter simply has no comprehension of their own sin.
Nobody thought that was funny, but a number of men nodded in agreement.
I stopped pointing fingers at Peter long ago, for I realized that every time I pointed out Peter’s mistakes, I’m really pointing out my own. In the end, my hope is to be like Peter. I want to live my life in such a way that my enemies can convict me of following Jesus.
Originally posted March, 09.
Thinking Out Loud 
Maybe they (we) laugh at Peter because we see in him so many of our own foibles. True, Peter did have to step out of the boat, step out on faith, but he wasn’t exactly ‘successful’. And still Christ was there for him, no judgment, no chastising, just a little clucking of his tongue.
I like to think that’s how God sees me when I slip and fall on my own ego. I like to see him shaking his head, yet still smiling. That’s kind of how I like to see Peter – doing his best, often falling short, but still loved by God and held up as a hero.
I really like what you had say. As I was reading the post the thought came to me: “Well done good and faithful servant.” Those are words I believe Peter heard after being crucified in spite of all the “failings”. And those are words I hope to hear. I wonder at times if I will but then I read about people like Peter and hope is restored. He made mistakes, bad choices however one wants to label it but God still used him and God’s Kingdom was still furthered. Thanks for the reminder!
Bob,
Thanks for visiting via Facebook. We’re certainly in agreement regarding Peter. God specializes in using the “foolish” things of this world to get His work done. I figure if He is using me, He can use anyone! How well I am discovering that it is in my powerlessness that He shows His true power, and through my lack of talent and ability He shows Himself more than capable. If we could do everything on our own, we wouldn’t need the Lord.
Christian,
That’s a great line: “Slip and fall on my own ego.” I’m going to shamelessly steal that line and if my ego let’s me, remember to quote you…
Blessings,
Jim
“I told the men’s group that anyone who can delight in laughing at Peter simply has no comprehension of their own sin.” That’s funny. I see myself sitting there and wondering why I am there. Hoping I might have something positive to contribute and inevitably, I say something profoundly true and realize I just don’t fit in and likely won’t be back. 🙂
Oh yeah. Referencing my above comment, I am also thinking, “When do we get to pray!”
Peter requesting to be crucified upside down is not part of Scripture. It is found in The Acts of Peter, written in the 2nd half of the 2nd century. It was condemned in the decree of Pope Gelasius and was not admitted to the Canon.
James,
Thanks for the clarification. However, I did say that “traditions says,” not “Scripture says.”
Loved your article!!! Peter also touches my heart as well.
Thanks, Mikie. I’m a bit fond of Peter myself.
Can you give me a bible reference that talks about Peters wife being crucified?
There are none. It is based on tradition.
God’s work. So back in June when I stumbled across your site I decided to send this to the women in my Bible Study Class. Since then things just happened. Our pastor decided to devote his sermons over the summer on Peter. Our Bible Study class starting up since the summer break has decided to study Peter. I had been feeling some ambivalence about continuing to attend Bible Study class due to relationship issues (with my fellow classmates and certainly NOT with my Lord). I’d say the Lord wants me to continue studying His word in that class. Isn’t it just like Him to work in this way?!? How I love Him! And you were used by our Lord to start it all… God bless!
Mikiepensit,
Wow. Thank you for your comment. It is so humbling to know that something I wrote a while back is still being used by God to touch people. But every once in a while God still reminds me He is using my blog or my book in ways that glorify Him. Please feel free to use anything you find on my blog, for that is what its there for.
Blessings,
Jim
Thank you for writing a great article! It truly blessed me to look at the BIGGER picture! Oh, how great and wonderful God is to bless us to really see truth in its luminous form. We can definately be one sided in our thoughts at times but I do believe wholeheartedly that God would rather for us to stay open to see the full picture and not a narrow view. Thanks again and God bless you brother!
I have been in the same predicament where I have laughed at Peter not because I am making fun but because I am so glad that there is a me in the bible I can relate to. I so often do the same and I love how you put it, leap to just sink in the end, one too many times. But I hope to also be a Peter although there are so many faults in me, my Jesus look at me and see a someone to make a difference. Blessings!
Yolie, you and I will be someone who makes a difference as long as we keep our eyes on the God who keeps His eye on us (Ps. 32:8).
Blessings.
Excellent and accurate
Thanks.
When I first read your title I expected something totally different than what you wrote. I was ready to defend Peter before I got past the first sentence because he has become to me an inspiration and a great example to the dysfunctional ne’er do wells. He gives the messed up loser hope.
Can you imagine the second morning after the rooster crowed. That day was introduced by a new crowing instantly reminding Peter of his failure again and Satan was right there accusing him and sifting him like wheat. I imagine Peter again going into the throes of another bitter weeping session. Then again in the third morning, the fourth and so on..
He only became the apostle he did because he was able to turn Satan’s accusations of unworthiness into Jesus’s affirmations of love. If Peter had only listened to Satan the rest of his life we would not be reading Peter’s espistles. Instead we do therefore Peter somehow learned to change the meaning of the crows.
Each Peter wheh heard the rooster crow instead of thinking of his denial, he thought of Jesus’s love! Jesus still loved him! Jesus still cared for him! Jesus gave him a charge! “Feed my sheep.”
It was when he was able to focus on Jesus love when the rooster crowed that his life was transformed. I believe from then on Peter loved hearing the rooster crow each morning so much that he may have even had one with him as a reminder of Christ’s love.
I was glaid to see that your article was basically the same.
Thanks, God Bless.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Thomas.
Yes I do agree Thomas! I had just recently been made aware of the fact that Peter had to hear the rooster crow for the rest of his life. Isn’t it so true for all of us. The sins we commit so often leave such sorrowful repercussions that we are reminded of our failures all the days of our lives. Only completely washed away when we leave this world. But each such reminder is also a reminder of His forgiveness and His love. And if we end up weeping then know that He is weeping with us. I weep to Him. It has only deepened my relationship with Him and helped me to persevere in this tough journey to get home to be with our Father!
You too can become a rock when your rooster crows.
I am thankful for reading this. I have always identified myself as a girl Peter. I often forget that God loves me through my mistakes and even when the mistakes are made and I feel foolish, embarrassed and want to hide, he ask the question do you love me? Then feed my sheep. I really needed to read this today and I want to say thank you for this. May God bless you even the more.
Thank you, Constance. It’s always nice to know God is still using something I wrote years ago to touch someone new. Blessings.
This reading gives me hope and to appreciate life as it is. We make mistakes, we realize our own mistakes, we correct our mistakes, and we grow upward and forward because God has never given up on us.
That is very true! We are all in the process of learning not only who we are, but who God is. Thanks for commenting.