February, 1939
54
T H E K I N G ' S
B U S I N E S S
By ROBERT C. McQUILKIN Columbia, S. C.
Looking from the Sea of Galilee Toward the Site of Capernaum, Peter's Home. Photo by Adelbert Bartlett.
Peter's Spiritual Crises
Ten
W HEN our Lord said to Peter, “Thou canst not follow me now” (John 13:36), there was a glo rious meaning in that word “now.” Peter said that he would go to the death for the Lord. But it was needful first that his Lord should go to death for him; then Peter would be able to follow in a new way. After the death and resurrection of Christ, there were three spiritual crises that concerned Simon Peter as a Christian, but also particularly concerned him as a Chris tian leader, as a shepherd who was to feed the flock of God. The great crisis, indeed the one that might be thought of by some as the only great spiritual crisis in Peter’s life, was at Pentecost, when he and the others were baptized by the Holy Spirit. But there was an important crisis preceding this, and an important one that followed. Pe+er Restored and Recommissioned Many hearts were in despair on that black Saturday when the Lord Jesus lay in the grave, but there is no doubt that Simon Peter’s anguish of soul was beyond anything experienced by the other disciples. How lovingly did our Lord recognize this fact when the angel added those famous words, “and Peter”! “Go . . . tell his dis ciples and Peter” (Mk. 16:7). Simon Peter had the blessed privilege of meeting the risen Lord on that resurrection day (1 Cor. 15:5). W e do not know what passed be tween them, but it might well be called one of the spiritual crises in Simon Petef’s life. However, we are including this experience in the crisis of his restoration as recorded in the last chapter of John. The first step in that restoration had occurred when “the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter” after
his third denial, and “Peter went out, and wept bitterly” (Lk. 22:61, 62). Perhaps we may think of that meeting with the Lord on resurrection Sunday as Peter’s restora tion to fellowship, and the later occasion as the recommission to service. Doubtless Simon felt that although he was forgiven by the loving Lord, and although he still loved Christ, there never could be for him a place of prominent leadership. How often Christians after they have sinned feel that they are cast way so far as service is con cerned! Our Lord’s words to Simon Peter, “Lovest thou me?” (John 21:15) go to the heart of His preparation of His disciples for Christian service and leadership. The Lord used that high and holy word for love that is used in John 3:16 and in 1 Corinthians 13: "Lovest thou me with the love that would go to the death for me?” But the Lord's first question went further: “Lovest thou me more than these?” These words could mean, "Lovest thou me more than thou lovest these disciples?” Or they could imply, "Lovest thou me more than thou lovest this fishing business?” But the words can also mean, "Lovest thou me more than these other disciples love me?” Now this is just what Simon Peter had claimed when our Lord had predicted that all would leave Him: "Though all men shall be of fended because of thee, yet will I never be offended . . . Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee" (Matt. 26:33-35). Of course, the “all men” referred to the other disciples. Self-confident Simon be lieved that he loved Christ more than the other disciples loved Him. Our Lord’s pur pose now is to empty Simon of all his self- cpnfidence, and to bring him to that place [Continued on page 58]
PART II [Seven of the important spiritual expe riences of Peter were discussed by Dr. McQuilkin in the January issue o f T he K ing ’ s B usiness in his "study o f the grace o f G od in transforming impulsive Simon into steadfast Peter.” Briefly, these were the seven crises in Peter's life before the cross: 1. H e experienced a childhood faith, which included faith in the coming Re deemer. 2. H e became a son o f the law at thir teen, and a full member o f God's people Israel. 3. He accepted the message o f John the Baptist and along with others looked for ward to the coming Messiah. 4. H e met the Lord Jesus in the flesh, and became His disciple in personal faith and confidence. 5. H e heard and responded to the Lord Jesus Christ's call to full-time service for Him. 6. H e was ordained by Christ as an apostle, one o f the twelve foundation stones of the Christian church. 7. H e uttered, speaking for the disci ples as a group, the "Great Confession" concerning the deity and Messiahship of the Lord Jesus. In turn Christ stated Peter's relationship to His church. This crisis involved Peter’s committal to the Lord and his responsibility as a leader of the church Christ was fo build. The crises in Peter’s life following the death and resurrection o f the Lord Jesus are the theme o f this present installment o f Dr. McQuilkin s message .—E ditor .]
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