August 11, 1898

Lessons from Peter's History

EGW

Peter was a man of hasty disposition, and everything he did was apt to be done under strong impulses. He was quick to anticipate, and of vivid imagination, but he was wanting in caution and calm forethought. His affections were strong, and he was willing to undertake anything in the service of his Master; but his impulsive temperament it was necessary to hold in check, for his impetuous nature often led him into unpleasant and false positions; and though, while in connection with Christ and under the influence of His divine teaching, Peter learned many lessons, yet, his natural traits of character often appeared.ST August 11, 1898, par. 1

When Christ on one occasion asked his disciples what the people thought of him, and who they said he was, they replied, “Some say that Thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Then, addressing Peter, Jesus said, “Whom say ye that I am?” With readiness and decision Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”ST August 11, 1898, par. 2

The heart of Peter had been touched by the Holy Spirit of God. Rays of light from heaven had flashed into his soul and warmed his heart with love for Christ. Jesus was acknowledged as well as known as the Messiah so earnestly looked for by the Jewish nation. “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.”ST August 11, 1898, par. 3

In His answer, Christ did not exalt Peter above his brethren, nor give him superiority over his fellow apostles. He did not address Peter alone, but the established Christian church. To Peter He said, “Thou art Peter”—by interpretation a stone—then, turning to His disciples, He said, “On this rock,” referring to Himself, “I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”ST August 11, 1898, par. 4

It was not the purpose of Christ to exalt one above another. In all His teachings He sought to lead His disciples to humility of heart. “Learn of Me,” He said; “for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Had Peter felt the necessity of taking the lessons of Christ more fully to heart; had he learned the meekness and lowliness of Christ, he would have saved himself sorrow which left its impress upon his memory as long as life lasted.ST August 11, 1898, par. 5

The more of the Spirit of Christ we have, the more humble we shall become. When we obtain clear views of Christ, no words of self-exaltation will escape our lips. When the Lord gave to Job a view of His majesty, Job ceased to vindicate his own righteousness. He felt his sinfulness, and humbled himself before the purity and holiness of God. “I abhor myself,” he said, “and repent in dust and ashes.” Yet by the pen of inspiration, God presents Job as perfect and upright, one that feared God and eschewed evil. “There is none like him in the earth.”ST August 11, 1898, par. 6

After Jesus had worked the miracle to feed the five thousand, those who believed Him to be the Messiah wanted to make Him king, and they determined that if Christ would not consent, they would take Him by force and proclaim Him king of Israel. In this, the disciples and all the people present save the Pharisees would have united. But Jesus read the purpose of their hearts; He knew that this movement would arouse the jealousy of the priests and rulers, and thus cut short His work and defeat the purpose of His mission.ST August 11, 1898, par. 7

Jesus had sought to reveal to His disciples the nature of the kingdom He had come to establish. He had often told them, “My kingdom is not of this world;” but they had failed to comprehend His lessons. Now He dismissed them, telling them to take their boat, and go to the other side of the lake.ST August 11, 1898, par. 8

The disciples obeyed, but they murmured within themselves. They were more impatient and dissatisfied with Christ than they had ever been since they acknowledged Him as their Lord. He who could feed five thousand people in so miraculous a manner could break the Roman yoke, and make the Jewish nation free and exalted. Why, then, when popular feeling was enlisted in His favor, could they not take advantage of the occasion, and make Him king of Israel?ST August 11, 1898, par. 9

After dismissing His disciples and the multitude, Jesus turned to the lonely mountain for prayer. In His humanity He felt the need of strength from God. But the burden of the divine Master was for His disciples. He prayed that they might be braced for duty, and fortified for trial.ST August 11, 1898, par. 10

Meanwhile the disciples, in their boat on the sea, were battling with a fearful storm. The furious wind lashed the water into waves which mounted so high that the disciples expected every moment to be engulfed in the angry deep. But a lonely Watcher on the shore saw them toiling at their oars. He regarded with deepest interest that boat with its precious cargo; for these men were to be the light of the world; they were to take up and carry forward in His name the work He was soon to leave. He prayed for them.ST August 11, 1898, par. 11

At last the disciples saw that their efforts were in vain, that they were unable to help themselves. With feelings of remorse they remembered their impatience with Jesus, and called upon God for pardon. And now the time had come for Jesus to help them. Placing His feet upon the waters, He stepped from one white-capped wave to another, as if walking upon dry land. But a short time before in His humanity Christ had poured out His supplications to God among the rocks of the mountains; now in His divine majesty He walked the crested waves, that He might bring deliverance to the disciples He loved.ST August 11, 1898, par. 12

The disciples saw the Saviour walking upon the water, and they were afraid. They did not recognize their Master, but saw in this apparition an omen of their destruction. But Jesus quieted their fears. Above the roar of the tempest His voice was heard, “Be of good cheer: it is I: be not afraid.” Then Peter in his joy cried, “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” Jesus bade him come, and Peter sprang confidently out of the boat, and, with his eyes fixed upon Jesus, stepped from one white wave to another.ST August 11, 1898, par. 13

While Peter kept his eyes fixed on Christ, he knew no fear. But the boisterous waves aroused his fears. He looked down upon the hungry waters that seemed to talk with death. His faith failed, and as he felt himself sinking beneath the wave, he cried, “Lord, save me.”ST August 11, 1898, par. 14

His prayer was heard. Jesus’ hand was stretched out to grasp the sinking Peter, and His voice was heard saying, “O thou of little faith; wherefore didst thou doubt?” When Jesus was received with Peter into the boat, “immediately they were to land,”—the place where Christ had appointed to meet them.ST August 11, 1898, par. 15

Here is presented a case of mingled faith and unbelief. While Peter looked in faith to Christ, he walked the stormy billows in safety; but when he looked away from Jesus to the angry waters, he was afraid, and began to sink. No change had taken place in Jesus or in the waters. The change was in himself. Jesus had not bidden His disciple come to Him to perish; but instead of looking to his Lord, and thinking of His power, Peter began to think of his perilous position. He saw the great waves rolling and pitching about him; his faith gave way, and but for the power of Christ he would have been engulfed.ST August 11, 1898, par. 16

Christ sought to prepare His disciples for the trial that must come to their faith in His betrayal, His trial in the judgment-hall, and in His crucifixion. When alone with His disciples at Caesarea Philippi, He said, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” But Peter was not willing to accept anything of this nature in the mission of Christ.ST August 11, 1898, par. 17

Such an event as this, he thought, must bring the Christian church to naught. The Lord could prevent this, and such a terrible thing must not happen. With all the power of his strong feelings he exclaimed, “Be it far from Thee, Lord; this shall not be unto Thee.”ST August 11, 1898, par. 18

The words of Peter turned the minds of the disciples from the lesson Christ desired to impart, and called from Christ the severest rebuke He had ever uttered. “Get thee behind Me, Satan,” He said; “thou art an offense unto Me; for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” It was Satan who instigated doubts in the mind of Peter, and led him to presumptuously rebuke his Lord.ST August 11, 1898, par. 19

And it is Satan who today works to deceive humanity in the same lines. It is he who puts thoughts of unbelief into the mind. It is he who suggests that those truths which involve a cross be left out of the experience and belief of God's professed children. Many would have God's commandments, His great moral standard of righteousness, blotted out, because it involves a cross. “Speak to us of Christ's willingness to save the vilest of sinners,” they say. “Speak to us of faith in Christ, of the mercy of Jesus, and His promises, but do not talk of repentance and the putting away of sin.” Truths so unpopular as the law of God are altogether unwelcome to the carnal heart.ST August 11, 1898, par. 20

The Lord is now dealing with His people who believe present truth. He designs to bring about momentous results, and while in His providence He is working toward this end, He says to His people, “Go forward.” There are times when the Christian path seems beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before, and bondage or death behind; yet the voice speaks clearly above all discouragements, “Go forward.” We should obey this command, be the result what it may. The clouds that gather above our way will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. The voice of the Lord bidding His faithful ones go forward, frequently tries their faith to the uttermost. But those who think it impossible to yield to the will of God until all is made clear and plain before them, will never yield at all. Faith is not certainty of knowledge; it is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”ST August 11, 1898, par. 21

Mrs. E. G. White