The Rock

Peter was a man of solid rock. When he confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus called him the foundation of the church. Peter was a man of action and it was evident that Peter played a prominent part.

Peter walked on water. He did not hesitate to ask Jesus questions about any issue and he even had the audacity to rebuke Jesus wrongfully when He told them what would happen to Him (Mathew 16:22,23).

He was bold enough to speak to Jesus when He was with Moses and Elijah on the mountain.

When Jesus was captured, he took his sword and cut off the ear of one guard.

Peter was indeed a man of action, a solid rock, a go-getter.

Peter and his brother were called to follow Jesus after Jesus told them to cast their nets into the water and they hauled in probably the biggest catch of their careers (Luke 5). After that they were called to follow Him and they immediately obeyed and followed.

It is interesting to note that after the crucifixion their calling to follow Jesus seemed to have ended and they went back to fishing. After the resurrection of Jesus, He met them again while they were fishing and again He told them to cast out their nets and again they hauled in another big catch (John 21).

Once again they were called to follow Jesus signifying the continuance of their calling. However, before that Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him. Only after he had answered three times that he did, Jesus told him again to follow Him.

To follow Jesus today is our biggest and only task. The question comes to mind, why did Jesus ask Peter three times in a row whether he loved Him? There could only be one explanation….. Because three times in a row Peter denied Jesus.

How could Peter? How on earth could he stoop so low to deny Jesus three times after everything he experienced at His side?

We definitely are not like Peter, or are we? “Oh, but I have never denied Jesus!” Really?

I don’t believe I am the only one guilty of denying Jesus many times more than Peter did. I remember times when I asked Him to assist me in a test, and when my fellow students told me how clever I was, I accepted the honours and at the same time denied Jesus the honours for my success.

I asked Jesus for rain and after He had answered my prayers I harvested a bumper crop. Then I thought how good a farmer I had become. Again I denied Jesus the honour He deserved.

I can go on and on, relating incidents like the above.

All the successes in my life are contributed to the input and guidance of Jesus, and still I call them “my” success stories. Yet, Jesus still desires me to follow Him. His love for me stays the same.

If Jesus would ask you whether you love Him, how many times would He have to do that to cancel out the times you denied Him? Rest assured, He does not count the denials but He listens when you confess your love for Him every time and that is His joy in your life. Give Him a special hug today, the one He deserves for being our loving God and Saviour and yes, give Him all the credit for all your successes. He deserves that.