Love Makes Us More Than We Are

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. Luke 22:31-38 (KJV)

At the last supper, Jesus spoke to Simon. Simon means a reed, which is easily shaken and has no stability. He told him that satan desired to sift him as wheat. Satan did, and the result was that Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus told him, “I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail.” Peter disavowed Jesus three times, but Jesus told him that he would get through so that when he was converted, he would strengthen others.

Although Peter denied Him, Jesus gave him a path to redemption. After His resurrection, Jesus asked Simon Peter three times if he loved Him (John 21:15-22). The first two times Jesus asked him if he loved (agape) Him, referring to the perfect love of God. Each time, Peter answered that he loved Him using the word phileo, which refers to close personal attachment. The third time, Jesus asked him if he loved Him using the word phileo. This shows that Jesus met Peter where he was. Jesus allowed Peter to declare his love for Him three times to restore him from his three denials.

At the last supper, Jesus transitioned from calling him Simon to calling him Peter, meaning rock. He was reminding him that he was and would be solid, even though he would deny Him more than once. No matter how many times we fail, Jesus is there to remind us and reassure us that He loves us and will work with us until our love matures into unconditional, self-sacrificing agape love.

Peter was converted, and he did strengthen his brothers throughout his Christian life. After his failure, he did indeed grow to become a rock founded on Christ the Cornerstone. His leadership and strength helped build the New Testament church.

As we keep following Christ, we must heed Jesus’ words. We are to go from a reed that is easily shaken to being a rock that is immovable and solid. In the end, Peter laid his life down just as Jesus did. He requested that his cross be upside-down because he did not feel himself worthy to die in the exact same manner as his Lord and King. Truly, Peter humbled himself and died to glorify the Savior who gave his life for Peter… and for us.