Lessons from Peter's Life: How Jesus Transforms Imperfect People

An Imperfect Disciple Called by Christ

If we ever thought Christian perfection was possible, we don't have to look far in the Bible to see that is not true. Some examples we read about so often, we almost forget they were real people, with real struggles, and real character flaws. I thank God we have examples that are like me, not perfect by any means, but striving to be better because they love God and want to show His love to others.

If I describe someone as impetuous, hot headed, and often speaking without thinking does it remind you of anyone, maybe yourself? This person was a disciple of Jesus. Perhaps you have figured out that I am talking about Simon Peter. Peter led a normal life until his encounter with Jesus. What was it like when Jesus called him to be his disciple?

In Luke 5:1-11 we read that Jesus came to preach near Lake Gennesaret (Galilee) and requested the use of Simon's boat. Simon was probably exhausted from a long night of fishing on the lake with no success. Now, he was washing his nets probably looking forward to going home, when Jesus showed up. Jesus wanted to use his boat as a platform to teach from.

When Jesus finished, he told Simon Peter to put down his net for a catch. Peter explained that they had fished all night and caught nothing, but he complied with the request. To Peter's astonishment they pulled up enough fish to fill two boats. Realizing this was no ordinary man, Simon, falling to his knees, told Jesus to leave him because he was a sinful man. At this, Jesus told Simon not to be afraid, because from now on he would catch men.

Peter did not hesitate but gave up everything and followed Him. Peter had just witnessed a miracle. What an opportunity this was to become a follower of such an amazing rabbi (teacher). Peter's quick decision to follow Jesus was an example of the decisiveness we see throughout his life.

Peter often acted before others did. Sometimes that would be a strength. Other times it would lead him into trouble, but through it all Peter was learning. Following Jesus, often near his beloved Sea of Galilee, Peter witnessed miracles that helped him grow in knowledge and understanding of who Jesus truly was.

Learning What Kind of Messiah Jesus Was

Peter lived in a time when people highly anticipated the Messiah. They awaited a great military commander and a leader who would make their nation great again and throw off Roman rule. They weren't expecting the humble servant who would give His life for His sheep that they found in Jesus. Peter’s struggles with Jesus’ mission make much more sense when we remember what he was expecting the Messiah to be. He believed Jesus was the Messiah, but he still had to learn what kind of Messiah Jesus was.

Throughout his time with Jesus we see Peter often represented as being the spokesman for the group, especially when they wanted to understand things better. But Peter, like most of us, had a lot of lessons to learn before he could become the leader of the twelve. These lessons appear repeatedly in specific moments of Peter’s life.

Lessons from Peter's Life

Peter needed to learn where his focus should always lie, especially in moments of fear. In Matthew 14 when Jesus walks on water, the disciples were afraid, but Peter cried out to Jesus. Jesus told him to come, so Peter jumped out of the boat and walked towards Jesus. But when he noticed the wind and waves, he began to sink and cried out for help. As Jesus stretched out His hand He asked Peter, "Why did you doubt?" Peter learned that taking his eyes off of Jesus and looking instead at the fearful things around him, weakened his faith.

Peter also needed to learn patience. He was not a man that wanted to wait. He was a man of action. At the transfiguration his first thought was to do something. He decided to build tabernacles (shelters) for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-8). I can see him casting about thinking there must be something he could do to make this miraculous moment last. Peter's instinct was often to act immediately rather than stop and consider what God wanted him to do.

When the Roman company came to arrest Jesus, the first thing he did was to pull out a sword and cut off the ear of one of the guards (John 18:10-11). Why did he have a sword in the first place? He must have feared what could happen. Jesus of course would have none of this violence and miraculously restored the soldier's ear. Once again Peter was trying to accomplish God's purposes in his own way, rather than submitting to God's plan.

And yet again, when Jesus tells him that He would meet his death in Jerusalem and be raised on the third day, Peter exclaims, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 16:21-23). Peter already recognized Jesus as Messiah but when Peter rebuked Jesus, Jesus accused him of speaking for the devil. Peter could not imagine that the long awaited Messiah would be killed. Jesus mission, of course, was to die for the sins of the world, but Peter still had not fully realized what that meant. Peter loved Jesus deeply, but good intentions did not keep him from being wrong.

Of course Peter's weakest moment came when he denied Jesus in the courtyard after His arrest (Luke 22:54-62). Jesus had warned him this would happen but flawed, as so many of us are, Peter refused to believe that he would abandon his friend under any circumstances. This was truly the defining moment for Peter.

Looking in Jesus eyes, he wept for what he had done.  After Jesus' resurrection, mercifully Peter received forgiveness and mission. When Jesus left, it would be Peter who would "feed His sheep" (John 21:15-17). Peter's failure did not disqualify him from service. In many ways, it prepared him to understand grace more deeply than before.

These moments were not random failures because out of each one Peter's faith grew. His understanding of Jesus and His mission grew as well. You and I can also grow from our failures. Each of us can see ourselves, in one way or another, in Peter's actions.

Are we eager to take revenge on those who don't think or believe as we do? Are we looking for ways to stay busy without asking if that is God's will for us? Do we question what Jesus wants us to do? And are we just a little arrogant in our assumption that we will never abandon Him? But Peter’s story does not end in failure, because Christ does not leave us or His disciples in failure.

The Holy Spirit and the Transformation of Peter

Just like us, the power of the Holy Spirit began the transformation of Peter. At Pentecost he spoke to the large crowds gathered there, with 3,000 becoming new believers. Being born again by the Holy Spirit empowered this impulsive fisherman, who once denied Jesus, to stand publicly before thousands and proclaim Him, and later heal the sick, and even raise the dead.

Even as a leader of the early church, Peter had to learn things. He recognized that the Roman, Cornelius, had received the Holy Spirit just as the Jews had, and reluctantly accepted that Gentiles too could become believers. He understood that God was no respecter of person (Acts 10:34). This learning continued when, later on, Paul accused him of hypocrisy when he withdrew from the Gentile Christians in Antioch over pressure from some legalistic Jews. Growth in Christ is a lifelong process, not a single moment of transformation.

Peter continued to influence the young church with his letters, 1 and 2 Peter, and his direct impact on John Mark, who would later write the Gospel of Mark.  Who is your life influencing? Peter is often referred to as an "everyman." This is someone whose life was so similar to many of us that we can see ourselves in his story.

The stories of his time with Christ show a leader in the making who was gradually shaped by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to become the man God intended him to be. The same faith that made Peter an effective leader also sustained him through tremendous suffering.

Faithfulness Through Suffering

Peter was no stranger to suffering, he was imprisoned and beaten for preaching the Gospel. But in all of this he glorified God (1 Peter 4:16). Jesus had predicted Peter's death and the method of it (John 21:18-19). Peter understood that suffering for Christ was part of discipleship. Peter shared many lessons with us in 1 Peter.

“Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Eventually, tradition says, he would be executed for his faith.

What Peter's Life Teaches Us Today

In Peter we see someone with seemingly little to offer that Jesus molded into the figure he would become. Peter was no educated man, no man with great religious understanding, but Jesus saw what he would become. In the same way, Jesus sees what we can become for Him if only we let Him use us.

We see a man who was fearless but just needed direction. Are you someone who is bold and fearless until you are called on to tell others about Christ? Be like Peter. Peter, who once denied Jesus before a small group around a fire, now proclaimed Him boldly before thousands after being empowered by the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that lives in us today.

Peter needed to learn patience among other things but Jesus saw that he was a willing learner. Peter accepted being taught. Do we? Do we look at ourselves honestly and ask the Lord what we need to learn about Him?

Jesus forgave Peter's betrayal and set him on a new course. This was a path that would change the world. Have we asked for Jesus' life changing forgiveness? Are we willing to change directions and be led by the Holy Spirit as Peter was?

The solid character and direction that Peter would eventually give the early church bore out his name which was Petros in Greek for rock. But this transformation was not a single moment—it was the unfolding of a life shaped by God’s purpose from beginning to end.

Imagine Peter as a young child sitting at his parent's knees learning the stories of his faith and anxiously awaiting a Messiah, a Savior, for his nation. How could he ever have imagined that he had already been chosen to lead a group of men who would become friends and students of the Son of God? How must his heart been full when he was executed for the One who died for him, the One who loved his soul from before his birth. The lessons from Peter's life teach us the importance of following Jesus faithfully.

Let God reveal His will to you, as He did to Peter. Don't set limitations on how you can be used. Like Peter, acknowledge Him as Lord and live a life well lived. Peter was deeply flawed, yet Jesus patiently transformed him into the man He intended him to be. The same grace that shaped Peter is the grace that still shapes us.

Peter's greatest failure and restoration deserve special attention and are explored in greater detail elsewhere.