Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BRISK (10/12/23)
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TITLE: From Fear to Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
10/19/23 -
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Peter was probably relying on his own strength in this situation. In Matthew 26:50 Peter cuts off the ear of Manchus, a servant, in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away and mended the man’s ear. Again, Peter believed he could protect Jesus with his own strength.
On a stormy night the disciples saw someone walking on the sea. They were not sure who it was. They thought it was a ghost. Jesus spoke to them “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Peter responded by saying, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” When Jesus said “Come.” Peter climbed out of the boat and walked on the water. He was the only one who got out of the boat. Peter showed growth when Jesus asked His apostles who He was.Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Some spiritual growth.
Yet, the night Jesus was arrested he cowered down. Sitting outside the courtyard where Jesus was taken, he was confronted by a servant girl of being a follower of Jesus. He denied it saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” Peter moved to the gateway and another girl saw him and accused Peter of being with Jesus. But again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” When he was accused the third time, he began to curse and swear saying, “I do not know the Man!” Each time he was accused his denials became stronger with an oath and then curses and swearing.
Jesus was not finished with Peter. While the apostles were fishing in the Sea of Tiberius Jesus appeared on the shore. They had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. They did and caught so many fish they could not pull in the net. John said to Peter it is the Lord. When Peter heard this, he plunged into the sea and swam to shore. The other disciples came to shore in the boat. Jesus said, “Come and eat breakfast.”
I wonder what was going through Peter’s mind at this time. It didn’t take long. Jesus asked Peter three times, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? The third time Jesus asked, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me?” Peter answered “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love you.”
Jesus told Peter “Follow Me.” Peter was restored. I’m sure he felt like he was a new man. There was more to come.
On the Day of Pentecost, a gathering of 120 people in a room received the Holy Spirit. They spoke in different tongues so everyone who heard them understood them. People thought they were drunk. Peter assured them they were not drunk. Peter boldly accused the Jews outright for the death of Jesus. He refers to Joel and David and their writings of what was to come about. He tells all the house of Israel that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Peter’s tone to his audience was sharp but invigorating. When the people heard this, they asked what can they do? Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and then they would receive the Holy Spirit. Three thousand people came to the Lord that day. Peter had an enormous transformation from denying Jesus to preaching the Word of God.
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