45 PETER
“I Am a Sinful Man”
PETER was a hardworking fisherman who shared in a family business with relatives. He was bold and courageous. He tended to speak his mind spontaneously and to act quickly when he saw a need. One day, his brother Andrew excitedly told him: “We have found the Messiah.” Peter soon became one of Jesus’ followers.
Some months later, Jesus came to Capernaum, where Peter lived. Peter had just spent a long, hard night of fishing without results. Jesus told him to pull out to deeper waters and lower his nets again. Peter was skeptical. Broad daylight was no time for fishing! “We toiled all night and caught nothing,” he remarked. But he obeyed. Soon two boats were so full of fish that they began to sink! Peter was afraid. He fell before Jesus and said: “Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man.” He felt too sinful—simply unworthy—to associate with this miracle-working Son of God. Jesus reassured him: “Stop being afraid. From now on you will be catching men alive.”
Jesus saw the good in Peter and, in time, made him one of his 12 apostles. Peter showed courage in many ways. When Jesus said something puzzling and other disciples hesitated to question him, Peter often spoke up and asked for more knowledge. When Jesus walked on water, Peter had the courage to ask Jesus if he could join in that miracle.
Peter often spoke impulsively, so he needed the courage to accept correction and to keep going
Peter also showed another kind of courage. When a person is corrected, he needs courage to look at himself honestly and humbly, recognize his flaws, and then make the needed changes. Peter showed such courage again and again. When Jesus foretold his own death, Peter wrongly rebuked him, saying: “Be kind to yourself, Lord.” Jesus corrected him sternly for speaking as Satan would speak, against the will of God. Peter humbly accepted the correction.
On the night before his death, Jesus wanted to teach his apostles a lesson in humility, so he began to wash their feet just as a lowly servant might do. Peter blurted out: “You will certainly never wash my feet.” Jesus corrected him firmly. Then Peter swung to the opposite extreme, asking Jesus to wash not only his feet but also his hands and head. Again, Jesus corrected him. Later, Jesus foretold that all his apostles would abandon him. Peter insisted that even though the rest might abandon Jesus, he never would! Jesus replied that Peter would deny him three times that night.
Just hours later, Jesus was arrested, bound, and taken away. Peter courageously followed from a distance. He was in the courtyard of the high priest’s house while Jesus was inside being subjected to abuse and a disgraceful, illegal trial. However, some bystanders recognized Peter as a follower of Jesus. Three times, Peter denied even knowing the man, just as Jesus had foretold.
Jesus had just emerged from the house, and he looked straight at Peter. Peter was crushed. Leaving the courtyard, “he went outside and wept bitterly.” Hours later, when his beloved Lord was brutally executed, Peter surely felt worse than he ever had in his life. But he refused to let his failure crush him. He was determined to endure. What did he do next? He met together with his fellow apostles. Later, he had something amazing to tell them: Jesus had appeared to him! The Bible does not reveal what the risen Christ said, but Peter was strengthened and comforted.
Weeks later, when Jesus met with his apostles at the Sea of Galilee, he gave Peter a loving gift. Just as Peter had denied him three times, Jesus gave him three opportunities to express his love for his Master. Then Jesus entrusted Peter with a vital assignment: “Feed my little sheep.” As we will see in Chapter 49, Peter went on to do just that, with more courage than ever before.
Read the Bible account:
For discussion:
In what ways did Peter show courage in this part of his life?
Dig Deeper
1. What did Peter’s work as a fisherman involve? (it “Hunting and Fishing” ¶6-7) A
Picture A
2. Why did Jesus give Simon the name Cephas (Peter)? (“You are Simon” study note on John 1:42, nwtsty)
3. What did Jesus indicate when he invited Peter and Andrew to become “fishers of men”? (Matt. 4:18-20; w16.05 9 ¶3-4) B
Picture B
4. Shortly before Jesus ascended to heaven, he asked Peter: “Do you love me more than these?” What was the likely meaning of Jesus’ question? (“do you love me more than these?” study note on John 21:15, nwtsty)
Reflect on the Lessons
What can you learn from Peter about how to continue serving Jehovah despite a persistent weakness? C
Picture C
How might you benefit from reflecting on the way Jehovah and Jesus freely forgave Peter?
How might you imitate the courage shown by Peter in this account?
Meditate on the Bigger Picture
What does this account teach me about Jehovah?
How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?
What did you learn about Peter in this account that makes you happy that he was chosen to rule with Christ in heaven?
Learn More
How can parents use Peter’s example to teach their children about Jehovah’s mercy?
Consider how Peter remained loyal when many abandoned Jesus.