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An “Interview” With Peter, the Apostle (Part 2)

by Bryan Gibson

January 22, 2010

Question: Let’s talk about the confession you made in the presence of Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). You then went on to proclaim the very same thing in the presence of others (Acts 2:36). Explain how you could be so certain.

Answer: I saw Him heal my mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31). I was with Him when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Luke 8:49-56). I saw Him walking on the Sea of Galilee, the same power which He even gave me—at least until my faith began to waver (Matthew 14:24-31). I was there on the mountain with Him when He was transfigured, when His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. I heard the voice from the cloud which said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him” (Matthew 17:1-5; see also 2 Peter 1:16-21). And here’s the clincher: I saw His empty tomb (John 20:2-8), the same tomb that had been sealed and well-guarded (Matthew 27:62-66). And then I saw Him! I saw His hands, through which nails had been driven; I saw His side, which had been pierced with a sword. I ate with Him, had conversations with Him (John 21:10-23). There’s no other way to explain it—Jesus was raised from the dead. You can trust my testimony concerning Jesus, because I was an eyewitness to these great events—and to many more.

Question: Unfortunately, what many remember most about you is that after His arrest, you denied Jesus three times. Can you explain how that happened?

Answer: I was easy prey for Satan, because I was overconfident. The other disciples—I could see where they might stumble, but not me (Matthew 26:33). “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”—that’s what I said to Jesus. In my first epistle, I wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). I was anything but sober and vigilant. I didn’t heed the warnings Jesus gave me—“Satan has asked for you” (Luke 22:31); “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). I was prepared for a physical battle (John 18:10-11), when I should have been prepared for a spiritual one.

Question: And how did it make you feel that you had denied someone with whom you had such a close relationship?

Answer: When Jesus turned and looked at me after the third denial, I was so ashamed that I went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62). I didn’t just weep, though; I repented. I failed Jesus this time, but He still had big plans for me—to strengthen my brethren (Luke 22:32), to feed His sheep (John 21:15-17), to preach the gospel throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20). And that’s exactly what I did, only this time with more faith and courage (see Acts 1-12, especially chapters 4-5). I wasn’t perfect; in fact, Paul had to rebuke me to my face one time (Galatians 2:11-14). But, I appreciate the Lord’s patience with me, because for the most part I finally became the rock He wanted me to be (John 1:42).

Question: Speaking of strengthening your brethren, what instruction do you have for your brethren to help them overcome temptation, to keep them from denying Jesus?

Answer: First, don’t be overconfident like I was. “Beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3:17). Secondly, don’t make brash statements about what you will or won’t do; just work on getting stronger spiritually: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). “Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love...for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:5-7, 10). Thirdly, “be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7). That’s what I should I have done in the Garden (Matthew 26:41), and that’s exactly what you need to do—every day, several times a day.