THURSDAY
1 Peter 1:1–2 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
The author of this letter is declared to be Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. This is the Peter from the gospels who has experienced Jesus—a prerequisite to be an apostle. Let’s take a look at Peter’s story and see how his story contributes to the themes of this letter.
Peter was chosen by Jesus to be his disciple and to be among his closest three disciples. In Mark 1:17 Jesus bids Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” In John 6, after many of the disciples leave Jesus, he tells them, “No one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” Later, he asks the 12 if they are going to leave as well. Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Then Jesus responds, “Did I not choose you, the twelve.”
- These encounters with Jesus led Peter to the theology that we see expressed in these first two verses of the elect being chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and through the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Jesus chose him and preserved him. Even after Peter betrays Jesus, Jesus brings Peter back into the apostolic community.
Peter’s name was changed from Simon to Peter. In Mark 8 Jesus asks the disciples who they believe him to be. In this pivotal moment of Mark’s gospel Peter declares, “You are the Messiah.” Matthew’s gospel documents Jesus then saying, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Peter, means rock, in Greek. As the rest of the gospel, the book of Acts and church history reveal, Peter played a foundational role in establishing the early church movement.
- In the Scripture a name is much more than just a signifier to distinguish one person from another. It says something about one’s identity and character. When names are changed it’s incredibly significant. By changing his name, Jesus changed Peter’s identity. This is a theme that we will see played out in his epistle.
A few verses later (Mark 8:31-33) Jesus explains to his disciples that he must die and be raised to life. Peter, not understanding, rebukes Jesus. In turn, Jesus rebukes Peter and says to him, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
- Peter, here, failed pretty miserably and Jesus rebukes him harshly for it. Interestingly Peter includes these failures in his gospel that he dictated to Mark. Including these failures wouldn’t naturally strike confidence in the believers in the early church, yet they were so formative for him that he had to include them. At the time, he didn’t understand or value doing God’s will even through suffering. The teaching we will encounter in 1 Peter (roughly 30 years later) is dramatically different—a complete 180 in fact.
Peter fell asleep when he was supposed to be praying in Jesus’ hour of need. In Mark 14 when Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and crucifixion, he asks Peter, James and John to pray while he goes off on his own to pray. Three times they fall asleep, emphasizing the complete betrayal and failure of his closest friends.
- Based on what Peter says in his epistle, I think he learned his lesson. In 1 Peter 5:7-9 he says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”
Peter denied knowing Jesus when he was threatened with persecution. Later in Mark 14, after Jesus has warned Peter that he would disown Jesus three times (again, the number 3 representing the complete, full nature of his betrayal) he does so in the courtyard. After denying him these three times Peter breaks down and weeps (Mark 14:72).
- When Peter was rebuked by Jesus earlier, it was for not understanding the will of God as it pertains to suffering. Here, Peter was likely afraid of being arrested and suffering alongside Jesus. So he denied him. Again, the message we get in 1 Peter is very different. In 1 Peter his whole theology has shifted to coincide with what he saw and experienced with Jesus. In 3:14 he says, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”
Reflection
How do you identify with Peter in these stories? Do you feel as if you have little in your natural state to offer Jesus (Peter was a fisherman), yet God has chosen you to be a part of his people and gifted you to do his kingdom work? Do you not understand how suffering can be a part of God’s will? Do you still feel like you are living in your “old name”—i.e., your former identity before Christ? Are you afraid to suffer or sacrifice anything for Jesus? Are you sleeping through a spiritual war?