“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)” (John 18:10 NIV)
The scene of our opening text was at Jesus’ arrest. You remember the story. Peter’s automatic response we to start a knife fact, but Jesus, knowing that His appointment was at Golgotha, to be lifted high on a cross for all our sins; He quickly stepped in and fixed the ear. Was this a miracle? Yes! And it also shows us that Jesus majors in fixing. As you yourself have declared on many occasions, “Jesus will fix it…after while.” The “after while” was not long at all following this incident.
Giving credit where credit is due, while protecting the person’s anonymity, a loyal reader responded to an earlier meditation this week, pointing to how it helped her not to “Go Peter on somebody!” I loved the phrase. I laughed about the comment immediately and occasionally during the day. But after the laughter, the phrase lingered in my mind, and I hope it lingers in yours because it remind us that we have to be God conscious to avoid “going Peter on somebody!” When Jesus takes control at the times we are ready to go off on somebody or respond in a way that is a natural reflex of the flesh, Jesus will fix it by helping change our talk, tone, pitch, rate of speed, volume, etc. In other words, Jesus will help us keep from elevating interactions and agitating situations. Jesus is still fixing things and sometimes, thank God, it is not after awhile, but in an awesome way, it is at the immediate moment that we need Him to step in right on time. So I thank one of my life long supporters of my writing endeavors. Let me say it again, “Thank you.” Others will thank you too today. Why so? Because you have introduced a phrase that will guard our behavior for years to come, “Don’t go Peter on somebody!”
Do you want some more help from Peter, a lesson on what not to do? Well read the closing verses and remember to keep your eyes focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Have a great Sunday service! Be blessed!
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 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?” (Matthew 14:23-31 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King