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by Sandy Shaw
On being asked to say something about Peter, and our recent daily Bible readings focusing on Peter, I thought it was right to write about Peter, and for various good reasons. Turn to Peter’s first letter.
I recall hearing a colleague say - Imagine if we were to have a competition in the Church – say a hymn writing competition – these are around – but if we had one, and the first prize was dinner with an apostle of Jesus Christ, who would be your first choice? For many it would be Simon Peter – why?
Perhaps it would be because many of us can identify with the ups and downs of Simon Peter. But we have something better than dinner with Peter. We have his letter, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
Many have turned to this letter over the years. This letter anchors and answers many of the situations and predicaments we find ourselves in.
Why might it be especially helpful?
Peter was a jumble of fears and confusions to begin with, and Jesus Christ was the only person who could put him together.
Our recent readings have also been dealing with our identity in Christ Jesus.
In I Peter Chapter 2 and verse 7 we read these words – now to you who believe, this stone is precious – referring to Jesus. These words are written to disciples of Jesus Christ who are mature, and who are maturing - but they are written for a purpose, as is every part of The Word of God.
When we are in difficulty, and no matter what area of life causes that difficulty or problem or issue to arise, there is no one better we can turn to but Jesus Christ – no one.
Most people look all over the place for answers and solutions, and even end up being suspicious of God's sure solutions to life's questions, problems, difficulties and dilemmas.
If you had a real problem or question in the first century Church would it not be Simon Peter to whom you would turn?
Why do people hesitate to take God's ways?
Men work and struggle away, with unworkable ways of living, and running up roads with dead ends – so many live their lives in frustration and futility.
No one can take the place of Jesus. There is no one who offers us so much - pardon – peace – power. Jesus offers all this to very ordinary people.
Peter - this is the man who was called by the lakeside - the man who later denied Jesus Christ three times - and was forgiven.
Here he is some 30 years later - ministering faithfully in the power of the Holy Spirit and teaching and strengthening the disciples - the believers in Jesus.
He has so grown and developed and matured. This is the disciple who seemed to get so many things wrong, during his early days with Jesus.
Peter is writing to the Church of Jesus Christ, and here is a word for us.
Peter knows that it was not easy for these men and women to follow Jesus Christ, and we know today that it is becoming harder and harder.
We have been reading too about our identity in Christ. We are different.
These men and women had suddenly become very different. They were now in a different Kingdom – the Kingdom of God. They were surrounded by a very different society – or culture – the situation for them had changed fast.
Peter writes about faith, which can establish disciples in believing – and obedience, to direct them in acting and doing – and patience, to comfort them in their suffering, and they were suffering sorely and severely.
The letter is from Peter - an apostle of Jesus Christ - and he is writing to God's elect - to people who have been chosen by God - but who at this time were now scattered all over the Middle East, because of persecution. They had to flee and settle elsewhere - in a sense like Jesus having to flee to Egypt.
Peter is writing to people in need and with needs.
In the Church of Jesus Christ today we need to remember that we are ministering to people and dealing with people – many of whom are hurting and in pain, even though they may slow and reluctant to admit it.
They are strangers in this world - do you ever feel like that? Peter repeats it in verse 17 - and in Chapter 2 verse 11.
Some of us feel that more and more. Take time and make time to read these opening words of Peter’s first letter – in fact, sit down and read the whole letter.
“Almighty God, thank You for this letter of Simon Peter, which has been preserved over these past two thousand years. Thank You for every part of the Bible. As we read Your holy Word, speak to us and feed us and nourish us and so strengthen us, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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