Learning to be like Jesus

One of the best presents I received this Christmas was a study guide from Val called ‘Peter learning to be like Jesus’ – Robbie Castleman (Scripture Union, 1999). It’s extremely helpful book because all too often when I read the bible I am astounded by Peter’s apparent ’stupidity’ and blindness to the truth, as if it is something obvious that everyone should understand the moment they hear it. I am the first to criticise Peter, and the other disciples, for their disobedience.

It’s only afterwards that I realise how hypocritical my view is. The truth is that I am no different to Peter…I misunderstand the same truths, struggle with the same doubts and fail God in the same way(s). It’s only through Grace that Peter became a great leader of the church and it’s only by grace that God saves me and makes me more like his son. I don’t understand or obey because I’m cleverer or some how better than Peter. It’s all because of grace!

It’s awesome to look at the gospel accounts and the book of Acts to see how God shaped Peter into the man of God he desired him to be. I am looking forward to being humbled in learning the same lessons Peter did… You can not do it alone, you need Jesus! The story of Peter’s reinstatement at the end of John’s gospel never ceases to amaze me, because it shows the same grace that is at work in my life.

“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.”
John 21:3-7 (ESV)

Peter was a fisherman; it was his life, profession and trade, yet without Jesus’ help he was totally incapable of even that! That is true of us all…without Christ we are nothing. It is only in Christ that we can become what God truly wants us to be