Peter: Absolutely Right!

You have heard the expression, “You hit the nail on the head.” This means that you got it entirely correct. Your understanding is not off even a shade. You are right.

In Peter’s life, we can see several instances where he couldn’t be any more wrong. Matthew 16 is an excellent example of such; Peter stands and proclaims he would not allow the Christ to die (Matt 16:22). As we might recall, Jesus returns Peter’s proclamation with the searing words, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matt 16:23). Peter had other moments like this, where his claims were dead wrong. Still, he also had moments where his claims “hit the nail on the head.”

In John 6, Jesus has fed five thousand through miraculous means. He has walked upon the water to greet His disciples on the sea. He has preached the sermon of Him being the source of eternal life (the bread of life). These events led to a saddening moment in the Lord’s life. Jesus indicates that to have eternal life, those following Him must eat of His flesh and drink of His blood (Jn 6:51, 53-58). They must have total devotion to and reliance upon Him. After this, many deserted Jesus, and turning to His disciples, He questioned if they would do the same. Here, Peter hits the nail on the head, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:68-69)

What did Peter proclaim? Jesus is all. Jesus is our savior. Beyond that, Jesus is our only savior. Peter would learn what a claim of this magnitude would require - complete allegiance. In the days before Jesus’ resurrection, he would not follow this claim with actions - he would deny Jesus and even doubt Jesus. After the resurrection, there was a change. Jesus would become the center of his life, the reason for his beatings (Acts 5:40), but also the source of His joy (Acts 5:41). Peter would grow to know what it meant that Jesus has the words of eternal life, that He is the Holy One of God. It would mean He alone is the Savior (Acts 4:12), and we must follow Him (1 Pet 2:21) - we must glorify Him (1 Pet 4:16).