Abraham Lincoln is called “A Successful Failure?” It is a title he, unfortunately, lived up to. He was part-owner of a failed business. He spent the next several years paying off those business debts.
Lincoln ran for a United States senate seat in 1855. He was defeated. He was nominated for Vice President in 1856. He was defeated.
Then in 1958 he again ran for the United States Senate. He challenged the incumbent Stephen Douglas. Despite beating him in heated debates Lincoln was defeated again.
Despite those failures, Lincoln was elected two years later to be the sixteenth president. He would guide the nation through the civil war years. His actions declared freedom from slavery. He became a beloved president despite the early failures.
The Apostle Peter could equally be called a successful failure. This unpredictable servant was a pioneer, a pillar in the early church but also floundered in major ways. He was a man marred by emotional and spiritual flip-flops.
He was also notable because of his astounding statements of faith. He said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” He declared that even if all the other disciples deserted Jesus, He never would.
Peter was also a colossal failure. We know He would deny Jesus three times. He also had the audacity to rebuke Jesus.
In so many ways, Peter is a picture of all believers. We would wish our lives were a constant incline, living progressively increasingly for Jesus. But that. is not true. We tend to be more like a roller coaster.
Over the course of 2025 we will journey into a discovery of Peter, learning from his victories and his failures. We will see his progress and struggles. In the second half of the year, we will move from the life of Peter to understanding his writings.
Our goal will not be to learn truths, but to experience his journey as an example of our own. We will look on his life and listen to the words Jesus spoke to Him.
Why should we study this character? He is listed first. In fact, Matthew says, “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon…” He dominates the four gospels. He is mentioned two hundred times in the New Testament, second only to Jesus.
Peter was among a core group of three disciples. He became the leader of the early church. He is a mirror of discipleship, in which we can see ourselves.
Peter had several notable firsts. He was the first to confess Jesus as Messiah. He was also the first to be rebuked by the Savior. He alone was addressed once Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane. He was also singled out for a message about the resurrection.
Focus for a minute on the names which define this man. Simon was a common name in the New Testament era. There are seven different Simon’s in Scripture.
His full name was Simon Bar Jonas. This common approach would mean Simon Son of John. Today it would be translated Simon Johnson. His name is a natural name meaning hearing or listening.
Jesus’ first words upon meeting Simon was to say, “You are Simon, Son of John, you shall be called Cephas.” The new name Cephas is translated as stone. He will wear the name “Rock” for the rest of his life.
He would try to live up to this new name. He would fail and succeed. He would become a strong, firm character. He would, indeed, be a “rock man.” But even when he was leading the early church, he had colossal failures come.
Before we begin observing his experiences with Jesus, we do well to learn a little more about the man. First, he was raised in a Jewish home. He would have been taken to the synagogue from an early age. He would have learned the law and the prophets.
His brother Andrew was the first to encounter Jesus and brought him to the Savior. The brothers and their friends James and John were partners in business and later as disciples following the Savior. They were disciples of John before following Jesus.
Peter was trained in religion but otherwise not educated. The Sanhedrin observed him and weighed in that he was uneducated and untrained.
One of the most well-known truths about Peter was the fact that he was a fisherman. He had a thriving business in Galilee. Particularly he was from Bethsaida which is translated “House of fishing.” At some time, he moved to Capernaum, a larger town near Bethsaida.
Scripture does not tell us about the appearance of the apostle. One thing we know is that to be around Peter was to take in the pungent smell of the lake. History also tells us that he had a large, round head with a strong jawbone. He was a brawny man with thick, curly hair. Nothing in his appearance spoke of the rock he was to become.
Peter was a married man. His family had a large home. Jesus often stayed in Peter’s home when he was in Capernaum. He was:
- Impulsive-brash vacillating and undependable.
- Impetuous-he intruded, interfered, and tested. His zealous side got him into trouble.
- Dedication-he desperately wanted to do something meaningful for Jesus. At the heart He was committed to the cause of Christ.
We complete this introduction to the life of Peter with a simple statement. When Jesus first met Peter, the Savior said, “follow me.” (Mark 1:17) The last recorded words spoken exclusively to Jesus was “you must follow me.” (John 21:22) The call on Peter’s life is the call on yours as well.
