The Purpose of Peter

Scripture John 13:36

Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later."

The time had come for Jesus to be glorified, and even though He had a heavy heart because the hour had come for Him to fulfill His purpose, He was committed to doing the Father's will (John 12:22). He was also committed to making sure that the disciples took care of one another. He showed them what humility and love was throughout His entire life; but especially at the Last Supper, when He washed their feet. Even though He was in a state of sorrow because of the events that would soon unfold, He continued to serve those that He had spent years with in ministry. He loved them unto the very end, and stayed true to His Word by offering Himself up for the sin of the entire world.

Simon Peter was zealous when it came to the Lord Jesus Christ. When he realized that Jesus was going to wash his feet, he insisted that the Lord not wash his feet. But the Lord explained to Simon Peter, that if he did not wash his feet, that he would have no part of Jesus. Simon Peter "said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head (John 13:9). Jesus then explained to him, that only his feet needed to be washed to be clean; but not everyone was clean (referring to Judas, who would soon betray Jesus into the hands of those that sought His life).

Simon Peter loved the Lord. However, he was still afraid of man, and what man could do to him. Jesus  knew that Simon Peter was still shaky; when it came to standing up for whom, and what he believed in. That's why at certain times in the Word of God, Jesus called him Simon (meaning shaky), and other times he called him "Peter", meaning Rock. That's why Jesus stated to Simon Peter that he could not follow him now, but he would follow Him later. Thus referring to Simon Peter denying the Lord Jesus Christ three times, and falling away because of his fear of what man would do to him.

Therefore, when he denied the Lord Jesus Christ three times, he seen himself for the sinner he was. At that moment in time Simon Peter was not ready for the call, and all that it would entail. But he would be ready at a later date in time. Even though Jesus knew that Simon Peter was shaky, and He knew in advance that he would deny him in the presence of a crowd; Jesus still loved him.

Jesus knew what was in Simon Peter, but he also knew what was in Peter. Peter had a designated purposed to fulfill, and his present state of fear, was of no effect on his call. Therefore, when it was time, Peter would be one of the most dedicated and sold out Christians named among the disciples. But Simon Peter, had to hit rock bottom in his walk with Christ, to realize how much the Lord Jesus Christ really loved him. The love that Jesus had for His disciples, and the example of His life, left an undeniable mark on their hearts, and on their souls; that would change the world for His glory.

Reflection:
Simon Peter is a perfect example of having a personal fight within his own flesh; and having to hit rock bottom, in order to understand the Love of Christ to some extent. He realized a portion of the Love of Christ, when Jesus came back for him, and accepted him as if he had not denied Him. Jesus was not concerned with the denial of Peter. He was concerned with the Purpose of Peter. The Love of God is so deep, that it cannot be completely comprehended by the mind of man. However, what we have been priviledged to understand, is humbling to say the least.

Jesus looks past all of our imperfections, and our fralties. He looks beyond the weakness of our flesh, and loves us to the depths of His soul. This kind of love is the most powerful love there is, and there is no love on earth that can match it. For God is Love, and He can only be who He says He is.

Strong's Concordance Definitions: John 13:36

Simon: 4613
Peter = "a rock or stone"
1) Peter was one of the apostles
2) Simon called Zelotes or the Kanaites
3) Simon, father of Judas who betrayed Jesus.
4) Simon Magus, the Samaritan wizard
5) Simon the tanner, Ac. 10
6) Simon the Pharisee, Luke 7:40-44
7) Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Christ
8) Simon the cousin of Jesus, the son of Cleophas
9) Simon the leper, so called to distinguish him from others of the same name


Peter: 4074
Peter = "a rock or a stone"

1) one of the twelve disciples of Jesus
 
Said: 3004
1) to say, to speak
a) affirm over, maintain
b) to teach
c) to exhort, advise, to command, direct
d) to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say
e) to call by name, to call, name
f) to speak out, speak of, mention

to Him, "Lord: 2962
1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord
a) the possessor and disposer of a thing

1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master
2) in the state: the sovereign, prince, chief, the Roman emperor
b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master
c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah

Are You going; 5217
1) to lead under, bring under

2) to withdraw one's self, to go away, depart

You cannot: 1410
1) to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

2) to be able to do something
3) to be capable, strong and powerful

Follow: 190
1) to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him
2) to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple
a) side with his party

Me now: 3568
1) at this time, the present, now

Later: 5305
1) latter, later, coming after, the second

2) afterward, after this, later, lastly

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of John 13 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 22 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=13&t=NASB.

Higgins, S. (2009). The Depths of His Soul . Devotions for Thought. http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com/, http://www.higginspublishing.com/