Walking in Faith

Last night we (me and my mom) read Matthew 2:1-12. I think it was very cool how the three Magi in a dream were told not to go back to Herod but to go a different route. What I thought that God was doing there was not telling them why to go a different route than the way they came but trusting them to do as he commanded them. I think they could have not listened to what the dream said it could have been easy to go the same way they came. But I think God was testing them to see what they would do. Would they do as they were told, or do what was easy?

Reading: Matthew 14:22-33; Matthew 16:13-23, Matthew 26:31-35, Matthew 26:69-75

In your own words summarize how Jesus dealt with Peter on each of these occasions. Was Jesus treating him consistently?

The first time, Jesus asked Peter why he doubted Him; the second He tells Peter to “Get behind me, Satan” and rebukes him for not having the things of God in mind, but rather of men; the third He tells Peter that he (Peter) will disown him (Jesus) three times before the rooster crows and on the final time, Peter weeps bitterly after he had disowned Jesus three times, just as Christ had told him he would do.

Was Jesus consistent? Absolutely! Anytime that Peter would be caught up in the world around him, afraid due to a lack of faith, Jesus would question and correct him. It reminds me of times when I’ve fallen and have been rebuked – I may buck, get really mad or deny their accusations, but when the truth is brought to light, I end up weeping, just as Peter did.

Peter was always a man for action and speaking his mind. At times this was a good thing, but at other times his forwardness led to sin. Recently, when have you been able to speak out for God or acted boldly and God has used you? Praise God that he has used you.

Recently? Nothing honestly comes to mind right now. I’m going to have to think about this one a little bit and get back to it.

On the other hand, when have you spoken or acted impetuously and without thought? You may not be reduced to the bitter tears which Peter shed, but pause to ask for God’s forgiveness and in openness for Him to reveal Himself to you as He did to Peter (Matthew 16:17).

This is more my tendency, honestly. I used to be so careful to think before I spoke, but lately I’ve had more times than I care to remember when my actions or words have worked a bit quicker than my mouth had.

Lord, I pray that in those times when my temper might get the best of me, times when I let my actions lead before thinking about the consequences, times when I let worldly things run my life that you will help to turn me back to the path of righteousness that you laid down for me with the death of Jesus Christ. I ask that you reveal to me who you are – my savior, my king. You are everything that I need in this world and so much more!

Matthew 14:22-33; 16:13-23: 26:31-35, 69-75

In your own words summarize how Jesus dealt with Peter on each of these occasions. Was Jesus treating him consistently?

• When Jesus was walking on water and commanded Peter to join him, I imagine Jesus was disappointed in Peter when he lacked the faith to stay with Jesus. Now, Jesus was perfect and he know that man was far from perfect — we were, and are, evil. Jesus cared for Peter and wanted to help him become the man that God had created.
• Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ and then immediate rebukes him for saying that he will be killed. I am not sure how much time elapses between the two conversations but this had to seem like a completely different Peter. One moment, he is filled with wisdom and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus reveals that Peter knows this only because God gives him this knowledge. He also makes it clear that the church will be built on the foundation that Jesus is the Christ. However, when Peter begins to rebuke Jesus because he is saying that the Israelites will kill him, Jesus rebukes him and tells him to get away from him because he is speaking heresy. I don’t believe that Jesus was disrespectful or anything — he was simply pointing out that Peter’s comments were not founded in God’s will or grace.
• Peter tells Jesus that he will never deny him, yet Jesus knows exactly what is about to happen. He informs Peter of this but Peter disagrees and says he would rather die than deny Jesus. Of course, only a few short hours later, he has denied Christ three times before the rooster crows. Again, Jesus was simply pointing out to Peter that he is dark and evil. He wasn’t judging Peter, nor was he mad at Peter. Jesus knew Peter’s nature and what he was and wasn’t capable of doing.

Overall, I think Jesus treated Peter consistently and fair. He never passed judgment or made Peter feel like an idiot. Jesus simply told Peter the truth every time in a loving way. What Peter heard, or wanted to hear, was sometimes different.

Peter was always a man for action and speaking his mind. At times this was a good thing, but at other times his forwardness led to sin. Recently, when have you been able to speak out for God or acted boldly and God has used you? Praise God that he has used you.

At Backyard Bible Clubs two weeks ago with my church, I was able to speak about the Lord with children, parents and others. My car was also decorated for the event. As I drove around town, people would see my car with signs that said “We love Jesus”, “Honk if you love Jesus”, etc. It’s not the same as Peter when he became bold. However, it certainly caught eyes and I think it made people think about God. Another time that comes to mind is some conversations at work. I have definitely been vocal about my religion with others. I do not hide it. In fact, I try to bring it up every single day in a conversation at work. It’s amazing to me that God would want to use me for anything. I have so little faith, so little compassion, so little focus. Yet, for some reason, He finds me beautiful and wants to use me to glorify Him. It is because I am so weak that He wants to use me. In that way, He gets the glory and not me — and I perfectly happy with that!

On the other hand, when have you spoken or acted impetuously and without thought? You may not be reduced to the bitter tears which Peter shed, but pause to ask for God’s forgiveness and in openness for Him to reveal Himself to you as He did to Peter (Matthew 16:17).

At work, I am constantly saying things that I wish I could take back. I am quick with my tongue and not with my head. I speak openly and candidly but sometimes without tact or forethought. The Lord is certainly working on me in this area but I am not where I need to be in order to have a strong witness in my work place.