Why Peter?

I have been studying the Gospels for the past six months or so.  It has been so awesome to delve deeper into the life of Jesus through the eyes of his disciples.  I have found clarity on aspects where I once thought Jesus was rather harsh on those around him, greater appreciation for His great patience with His followers and His overwhelming compassion for all of us messed up people.

Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples along with James and John.  I often wondered why Jesus would pick him to invest so much of Himself into because Peter seemed to be a bit slow on the up-take and rather impetuous.  For example, it was Peter who left the boat to walk on the water to Jesus and promptly took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. (Matthew 14:21-34) Peter had the audacity to take Jesus aside to rebuke Him for speaking of His death and was quickly corrected by the Lord. (Mark 8:31-33) It was Peter who suggested setting up three tabernacles to honor Moses, Elijah, and Jesus and then fell to the ground in fearful silence at God’s glory. (Luke 9:28-36) In Gethsemane Peter drew his sword and attacked the servant of the high priest and was immediately told to put down his weapon by Jesus. (John 18:10-11)  Just before the sword incident Peter boasted that he would never forsake the Lord, even if everyone else did yet later that very evening he denied three times that he even knew the Lord. (Luke 22:31-34, 54-62) What did Jesus see in this guy?

Then today I read Acts 4:8-12, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!  If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the mankind by which we must be saved.”

Wow! Such boldness, confidence, and authority!  This truly must be the result of the Holy Spirit which filled Peter.  What else could explain how a rash, impetuous, and unwise man could speak such bold truth to a crowd who crucified one of his closest friends?  I find so much hope in Peter’s transformation though the Holy Spirit.  As immersed believers we all have that same indwelling Holy Spirit which transformed Peter.  Oh, to have the confidence and boldness of Peter when proclaiming the Good News in the face of persecution.  Now I understand why Jesus choose Peter.