The first conversation Jesus had with Simon Peter is recorded in the Book of Matthew,
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. -Matthew 4:18–22 (NKJV)
And the last conversation Jesus had with Simon Peter is recorded in the Book of John,
This He spoke, signifying by what death he (Peter) would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” -John 21:19 (NKJV)
It ended the way it started! Jesus giving a commanding invitation, “Follow me.” That reminder extends to you and me. We are all under the same instruction to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus. The number one goal in our lives should be to keep following Jesus always.
There are approximately two to three years passed between the two verses above. In between these two moments of conversations from Jesus to Simon Peter, many events took place, which are recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. All of these Gospels describe Simon Peter as having zeal and being very out-spoken. He could also be very impulsive, which led him to make many mistakes. He experienced spiritual highs, such as walking on water, and he experienced spiritual lows, such as denying that he was a follower of Jesus during the events of the Crucifixion. His life was like a roller coaster of extremely high-highs and extremely low-lows!
Maybe you can relate your spiritual journey to Simon Peter’s turbulent example. Of course, you've never walked on water – unless it was a block of ice – but I suspect you have had some very high moments in your walk with God. Moments of great victory! You’ve also probably never had Jesus call you, “Satan.” Still, you’ve most likely experienced some really low moments in your relationship with God. Maybe even some moments of deep regret over sinful acts and disobedience to God.
Simon Peter was grieved by his failures, filled with shame as a result of his sin, and embarrassed by his weakness. Each of us can remember times when our faith has been weak or we’ve messed it all up. We all know the reality of low-lows.
One of Simon Peter’s lowest moments involved denying any relationship with Jesus, even though he said he never would do such a thing. I wonder is it possible that in your life you actually have had a similar moment? Perhaps, at the time you were surrounded by close friends, family members, or acquaintances? Did you – have you ever – denied God’s grace in your life? Maybe, in specific moments, you’ve been hesitant to associate yourself with Jesus, a church, or Christianity.
The enemy is actively trying to make people deny that they are followers of Jesus Christ. We see this happening globally, people are actively denying Christ and turning away from Christianity.
BUT we know the back of the book, and we know who wins!
On the other side of denial, mess up, and mistakes the invitation is still the same.
Follow Me.
Follow Jesus!
This He spoke, signifying by what death he (Peter) would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” -John 21:19 (NKJV)
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