Peter: Dead Wrong!

Last Sunday, our article considered Peter and an occasion where he "hit the nail on the head." In John 6, Peter's fervor was completely right—where else shall we go? Who else has the words of eternal life? By what other man can we come into fellowship with God Almighty? There is no other man (Acts 4:12), no other way (John 14:6), and no other words (Romans 1:16).

There is, however, another lesson to be learned from Peter's fervency. We referred to this, a time in which Peter was dead wrong. In Matthew 16, Jesus inquired of what person the disciples infer that He is (v. 15). Peter answered sharply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (v. 16). Yet, we progress beyond the two plans of God: the provision of the Church (v. 18) and the payment for the Church (v. 21). The kingdom of God would be established by the payment of the King's life - Peter, with good intentions (we must preserve the King!), was dead wrong: "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." (v. 22). If the life of Peter were recorded in black and white then the following statement would stand out in red: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." (v. 23).

This scene of fervor will always stand as a blemish of the young mind of Peter. His zeal was not according to knowledge. His pure intentions reflected deep misconceptions. Peter didn't see the kingdom for what it is - spiritual, though it necessitated a physical payment (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19). As I ponder his failure, I question my own. Am I, as Peter erred, viewing the kingdom inappropriately? Are there things I zealously support and promote that are hindrances to the kingdom? Am I aligning my desires with heaven's will? Am I distracted? Am I both kingdom-focused and eternity-focused?

One of my favorite people in Scripture is Peter. He is a wonderful example of frailty but also of faith. He can make mistakes like me, and I can, ought to, grow like him.