The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
If you compiled a list of saints, people throughout history who are widely recognized by their character, contributions, and faithful commitment to Christ, Peter would be one of the very first names coming to mind. He is called St. Peter by many and is one of the countless examples in Scripture and in everyday life of God faithfully shaping ordinary people into disciples. Jesus was walking along the beach when he saw Andrew and his brother Peter fishing. He beckoned to them, inviting them to follow Him. At once they abandoned their boats and their nets and followed Jesus.
That was only the beginning. Jesus consistently called Peter to take risks to follow Him, and Peter rose to the challenge. We see Jesus’ faithfulness to Peter over and over. Every day after Peter was called and followed Jesus, He was with Peter. Peter found that Jesus equipped him and was with him. When Peter was the only one of the disciples to get out of the boat and walk on water to Jesus. When he became afraid, Jesus helped him succeed. Following the resurrection, Peter and the disciples went back fishing, and Jesus went to the beach early in the morning. He started a fire to cook breakfast for them. He called out to them, “Brothers, have you caught any fish?” As they heard those words, Peter recognized it was his Lord! He dove with reckless abandon into the sea to swim to his Master.
That event on the beach when Jesus cooked them breakfast was another giant display of His faithfulness to Peter. Peter hadn’t seen Jesus since the night in the Garden. He had been cruelly tortured and beaten and crucified. Peter had denied Him, just as Jesus had predicted he would. Yet, Peter’s confidence in the faithfulness of Jesus was so great that he ran to Him. Jesus talked to him tenderly, showing His continued faith and willingness to be with him and strengthen him. Three times He confirmed His faithfulness and His faith in Peter by giving him his lifetime call: “Feed my sheep.”
The Acts of the Apostles and Peter’s two letters saved in our New Testament show over and over the faithfulness shown to him all throughout his life, shaping him into the ordinary man/extraordinary saint that Peter became. And that’s the fact for us today. We are all ordinary people who are called to follow Jesus. In our following, He will be faithful to transform and equip us for all He has designed for us to do.
- You and I are ordinary people, called to extraordinary lives, as we follow Jesus. Dive into the water with the abandonment and faith of Peter. Jesus will be faithful to you too.