Let’s look at incidents in the life of Peter. They boil down to his persuasion.
Proverbs 25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
So what do these verses have to do with Simon Peter? He was a remarkable person, somewhat an enigma. When the Lord said that what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, I wonder if he glanced at Peter. Peter said some of the greatest things said, but he also made some of the largest blunders ever made.
In Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus and the disciples were in Caesarea Philippi past the boundary of Israel. In John 6:65-69, they were gathered in Galilee in Capernaum. In Acts 2:22-24, 36, 37, they were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. Looking at these three instances, let’s consider what was in Peter’s heart and how he voiced it.
Peter used a certain tone that made him stand out. He made great strides for the disciples and the early church. At critical times the Lord called on the disciples. Peter stepped out first many times. He spoke out at the right AND wrong moments. There were times he spoke the right thing at the right time, but there were many times he should have kept quiet and didn’t. We’ve all said the wrong thing at the wrong time. We’ve also said the right thing at the right time. We all have missed opportunities in which we didn’t act or speak when we should have.
Even when Peter said the wrong thing, he spoke with persuasion. He was guilty of saying the worst things ever said about Jesus, but he was also “guilty” of saying some of the best. His life is a lesson for us all. There were times he was like clouds and wind without rain. Then there were times his words were like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Looking at the three instances, guess who stepped up at Caesarea Philippi. Guess who stepped up at Capernaum. Guess who stepped up in Jerusalem. Each time it was Peter.
It is of utmost importance to connect our tongue with our heart and when fully connected voice it. Don’t be afraid to stand out. Regardless of what others do or don’t do, people need to see our relationship with the Lord and hear whose side we’re on. We need to be so fully persuaded that we speak what’s on our heart and hit home.
In Matthew 16:13-16 Jesus took the disciples to Caesarea Philippi. Why would Jesus take the disciples to this area? Any kind and every kind of god was worshipped here. Altars were brought together in one place. The people could come, bring their sacrifice, choose their god and worship. Every god but the God of Israel had a place to be worshipped. The disciples saw all this going on.
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Everybody got quiet. This was Peter’s personal persuasion spoken aloud. It was what he knew in his heart. He made it real—gave it words. He didn’t say “I think.” He said “you are!” He stated the fact. A long time before this Nathaniel had his first encounter with the Lord.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Why didn’t Jesus respond to Nathanael as he did Peter? He wasn’t shortchanging him. In their spiritual infancy, Jesus called a bunch of fishermen and told them he’d make them fishers of men. Nathanael made a statement to the Lord. In the book of Matthew, Peter declared what he had experienced before this group of worshippers. They heard what was in his heart. In your experience with the Lord, what has he shown you? Has it not given you the same persuasion that it did Peter? Has Jesus ever failed? Hasn’t he proven himself to be Christ, the Son of the living God?
Peter’s relationship with Jesus persuaded him beyond a belief. We must have more than a belief. We need an experience with him. We have had enough experience with Jesus to say from a personal perspective that he is the Christ. This type of faith and persuasion is what moves others to be saved. People know who Jesus is by seeing him through us. It’s important for us to voice our persuasion. How can we keep silent?
Study the next two instances. In John 6:65-69 Jesus is the Bread of Life. Think about what Peter said. Notice the setting. In Acts 2, think about the first message in the church age. It came from the heart. Notice who is around in all three instances. Write down your questions and bring them with you.
We can all be as persuaded as Peter and find our voice. The Lord will give us a voice at just the right time.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 