The Lord Prepares Peter to Lead

The first recorded episodes in Peter’s life indicate his good character. He was not indifferent or reluctant to learn of Jesus. He joined his brother, Andrew, and other Galileans to walk 60 miles to investigate the message of John the Baptist. There they decisively accepted John’s testimony of Jesus and said, “We have found Christ.” Peter then went to meet Jesus. “And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” (John 1:42)

Simon was the son of Jonah, a man of experience with many responsibilities. He was married with a family to provide for, and a fisherman with a reputation for reliability in bringing fish to market. He recognized the word of God and accepted Jesus’ call to follow Him and to be a witness to His teachings and healings. Jesus renamed Simon “Cephas” which interpreted from the Aramaic language is the word for stone and the Greek equivalent of “Petros” or Peter. This was a great compliment to Simon and a prophecy of a future calling to serve the Lord in a greater capacity than he could ever imagine.

Peter’s calling to lead the Church was revealed to Jesus by His Father in heaven. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16: 17-19

Peter claimed his authority as an apostle through the ordination of the priesthood. He identified his office as “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:1.) The true principle of apostleship still exists today. Q - What are some of the responsibilities of an apostle today?

We are going to look at several experiences in the Savior’s ministry that prepared Peter to be the leader of His church. Look for and identify these following traits in the upcoming examples. Humility Faith Obedience Knowledge Priesthood Authority Testimony Willingness to covenant

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinfulman, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 43 ¶Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

How could the Sermon on the Mount help prepare Peter? What is relevant in the Sermon for us today? “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

27 ¶And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Discuss any or all of the following the Lord used to teach Peter? How are they relevant to us today? Humility Faith Obedience Knowledge Priesthood Authority Testimony Willingness to covenant

Matthew 8: 23 ¶And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

 Discuss any or all of the following the Lord used to teach Peter when he calmed the storm?  How are they relevant to us today? Humility Faith Obedience Knowledge Priesthood Authority Testimony Willingness to covenant

13 ¶When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

How did the following lessons help Peter to know Jesus? What allows us to know Him today? Humility Faith Obedience Knowledge Priesthood Authority Testimony Willingness to covenant

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

 Looking deeper into this account, how is this a story of triumph and transformation for Peter instead of a story of failure and lack of faith?  How can we turn our human moments of “sinking” into ones of spiritual “lifting?”  Is this a story of triumph and transformation for Peter?

Matthew 26: 26 ¶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Discuss the Sacrament and why it is a covenant. Why was this important to the apostles and to Peter? Why is this important to us today?

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

What is to be learned by this scriptural example? How do the following apply? Humility Faith Obedience Knowledge Priesthood Authority Testimony Willingness to covenant

When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter became angry. He cut off the ear of the servant of a man who came to arrest Jesus. Jesus quickly healed the man’s ear? What did Peter learn from this?

52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54 ¶Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.

31 ¶And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

54 ¶Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilæan. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to the 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. 23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. 25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

36 ¶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

Why was it necessary for Peter to witness the resurrected Christ? Why is it necessary for us to testify of the Resurrection?

Peter was always at the center of miracles. He often made mistakes and suffered criticism and eventually the persecution of death. Peter stood at the Lord’s side, missing no opportunity to learn from the Master. After the crucifixion, Peter testified courageously for a third of a century, emulating Jesus in his manner of living and dying. Peter’s greatest message and legacy was a life of commitment and courage. Peter’s conversion to Christ, his willingness to follow Him, and his experiences with the Savior allowed him to not only follow but to emulate Him and build up his kingdom on earth.