The title of this article might be misleading to
think that the writer is a theologian. I humbly submit that I am not one but just floating issues
that I have found quite uplifting in my recent devotions. I would love if
anyone can develop on them. However, the title with all fairness indicates that
I draw inspirations from the great New Testament theologian N.T Wright.
For the last couple of days I have been reading and reflecting
on Jesus’ life and earthly ministry with keen interest, following on calling,
life and legacy of disciple-Peter- a fisherman. One thing that the calling of the Twelve
disciples reveal was that Jesus was calling men from poor backgrounds to serve
with him. Rozen (2010,233) writes, “…at the time there were carpenters,
pharmacists, bakers, fishermen, tinsmiths..." Fishing trade was done by
people of simple means and the call of Peter signifies the importance of
compassion that Jesus emphasized and the promise of hope of a better world, a
coming "Kingdom of God" on earth to those who suffered.
Book of Acts 4:13 records the following about Peter
and John; some version calls them “unlearned and ignorant men” while others do
not mince words, “unschooled, ordinary men,” who shook Jerusalem! Further I
went ahead to investigate what is transformation that happens when we meet
Jesus. Ordinary and unschooled people, outcasts in society as well as marginalized
get a turn-around in life that people realise that they have been with Jesus!
The Gospels tell the accounts of Peter with Jesus in
details but none does so well than Matthew so I decided to follow him. In a
well documented style Matthew is portrayed as Jesus’s closest disciple.
First to be called and immediately takes the place
of leadership. Time and space does not allow us to go into details about
everything that ordinary Peter did but the following encounters with Jesus
reveals something extra-ordinary about him; The time Peter tried to walk on
water (14:28-31), the time Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive
someone (18:21-22). Is seven good? The time Peter gets to pay Jesus's taxes
with a coin from the mouth of a fish (17:24-27).
Matthew records Peter accounts so well. Peter calls
Jesus “The Master,” “The Son of God,”… With inexpressible faith he followed
Him, “Master if it is you tell me to come,” and without hesitation the man
walked over the sea. Peter was a man of different character-even when Jesus
rebuked him (by referring him as Satan) publicly he did not run away as many of
us would if we experienced the same.
Nearing the end of His ministry Jesus chose Peter to
be the rock upon which Jesus was to lay His foundation. (Mt 16:18-19) “And I
tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the
powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
There is something great we can learn from Peter today
about following Christ!!
Some say You're just a good man
Some say You were kind
Some say You are in the grave
But I say You're alive
Some say You're just a prophet
Some say You were wise
Some say You were just a man
But I say You are God
You are my God
I will shout Your fame to all the earth
I will lift Your name on high
And the world will know Your greatness
You are my God
I will shout Your fame
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