From Weakness to Strength

The history of none of the disciples better illustrates Christ’s method of training than does the history of Peter. Bold, aggressive, and self-confident, Peter often erred and often received reproof, yet his warmhearted loyalty and devotion to Christ were recognized and commended. Patiently and lovingly the Savior dealt with His impetuous disciple, seeking to check his self-confidence, and to teach him humility, obedience, and trust. But only in part was the lesson learned. Self-assurance was not uprooted.TEd 54.4

Often Jesus attempted to open to the disciples the scenes of His trial and suffering, but the knowledge was unwelcome, and they did not see. Self-pity, which shrank from fellowship with Christ in suffering, prompted Peter’s protest, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” Matthew 16:22. His words expressed the thought and feeling of the Twelve.TEd 54.5

So they went on, the crisis drawing nearer. They were boastful and contentious, hoping for high positions, and not dreaming of the cross.TEd 55.1

Peter’s experience in betraying Jesus had a lesson for them all. To self-trust, trial is defeat. Christ could not prevent the sure outcome of unforsaken evil, but as His hand had been outstretched to save when the waves were about to sweep over Peter, so did His love reach out for his rescue when the deep waters swept over his soul. Again and again, on the very verge of ruin, Peter’s words of boasting brought him nearer and still nearer to the brink. Over and over again was given the warning, “You will deny three times that you know Me.” Luke 22:34. But the grieved, loving heart of the disciple responded, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison, and to death” Luke 22:33. And He who reads the heart gave to Peter the message, little valued then, but that in the swift-falling darkness would shed a ray of hope: “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail: and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31, 32.TEd 55.2

When in the judgment hall the words of denial had been spoken; when Peter’s love and loyalty, awakened under the Savior’s glance of pity, love, and sorrow, had sent him forth to the garden where Christ had wept and prayed; when his tears of remorse dropped on the ground—then the Savior’s words were an anchor for his soul. Christ, though foreseeing his sin, had not abandoned him to despair.TEd 55.3

If the look that Jesus directed toward him had spoken condemnation instead of pity, how dense would have been the darkness that encompassed Peter, how reckless the despair of his tortured soul! In that hour of anguish and self-abhorrence, what could have held him back from the path trodden by Judas?TEd 55.4

He who could not spare His disciple the anguish, did not leave him alone to its bitterness. His is a love that never fails nor forsakes.TEd 55.5

Human beings, themselves given to evil, cannot read the heart; they do not know its struggle and pain. They need to learn of the rebuke that is love, of the blow that wounds to heal, of the warning that speaks hope.TEd 55.6

It was not John, the one who watched with Jesus in the judgment hall, the one who stood beside His cross, and who of the Twelve was first at the tomb—it was not John, but Peter, who was mentioned by Christ after His resurrection. “Tell His disciples—and Peter,” the angel said, “that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.” Mark 16:7.TEd 55.7

At the last meeting of Christ with the disciples by the sea, Peter, tested three times by the question, “Do you love Me?” was restored to his place among the Twelve. His work was appointed him; he was to feed the Lord’s flock. Then, as His last personal direction, Jesus said, “You follow Me.” John 21:17, 22. Now he could appreciate the words. Knowing more fully both his own weakness and Christ’s power, he was ready to trust and obey. In His strength he could follow his Master.TEd 56.1

At the close of his ministry, the disciple once so unready to discern the cross counted it a joy to yield up his life for the gospel, feeling only that to die in the same manner as his Master died was too great an honor.TEd 56.2

Peter’s transformation was a miracle of divine tenderness. It is a life lesson to all who desire to follow in the steps of the Master Teacher.TEd 56.3