Peter...the rock

Peter is my favorite of all the 12 disciples....Jesus described Peter as, "the rock" on which He would build His church upon. (Matt 16:18) I have often wondered why Jesus referred to him as "the rock" and I have looked at it from many angles

1. Could it be because of his stability?

 Stability? well...Peter was probably the most unstable of all the disciples! He was quite emotional and ALWAYS said what he was thinking! He never thought before he spoke, his zeal often outweighed his wisdom, or lack there of. For example: Right after Jesus referred to Peter as "the rock" He almost immediately called him a stumbling block, because Peter had the audacity to rebuke Him--(Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matt 16:22-23)


2. Could it be his solid commitment?

Committed? well...Do you remember Peter was asleep when Jesus was agonizing over His purpose in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane--(“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”  Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Mark 14:34-37)
And who can forget the day that Judas betrayed Jesus, only moments after Peter was sleeping in the garden, Peter betrayed Jesus by denying Him. Peter went so far as to curse.--(While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.--- When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it...He began to call down curses on himself Mark 14:66-68 & 71)


3. Could it be his unmovable faith?


Faith? well... There was the time that Peter sank LIKE a rock... (But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matt 14:30-31)


4. Could it be his awesome education?

Education? well...Peter was an uneducated fisherman...When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13


So why did Jesus call Peter a rock?

1. Peter was probably the MOST emotional of all the disciples but...He was also the MOST PASSIONATE!!!!

2. Peter was also somewhat wishy washy, but he was the only one who tried to defend Jesus when the Pharisees came to arrest Him in the garden (John 18:10)

3. Peter may have sank like a rock, but he was the ONLY disciple to get out of the boat as a matter of fact Peter was always the first to get out of the boat! If you will recall he jumped from the boat when Jesus appeared after His resurrection, and on both occasions the other disciples remained in the boat! (John 21:7)

4. Peter may have been uneducated but he had more boldness and he KNEW what and Who he was  was talking about! He stood and spoke infront of multitudes, and because of his boldness he revolutionized  the world! He preached the VERY first revival, and over 3,000 people were saved!!!  (Acts 2:14-41)

Peter is my favorite disciple because I believe he's the most like me...he was EXTREMELY passionate which often came bubbling out as irrational emotional outburst!!! He protected those that he loved with reckless abandon...and he was always the first to jump in head first!

So why did Jesus call Peter "the rock" I have come to the conclusion that it was because of his hardheadedness!! Peter was hard headed, tenacious, and resolute beyond that of the others...He had a resolve like flint, UNBREAKABLE! He was uneducated yet bold--overcoming his shortcomings by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Yes Peter had some flaws, but just like a diamond, the strength and beauty outshine the flaws! 

Pastor Brandiilyne