One of Peter’s biggest challenges in Peter’s life became one of his greatest strengths…his mouth.
Peter messed up big time, and yet God used him mightily. We already talked about how he denied Jesus 3 times. At the Transfiguration, Peter suggests that they build tabernacles to Elijah, Moses, and Jesus.
In the days of Jesus, servants would wash people’s feet as they enter a home. They wore sandles and walked on dirt roads. So their feet needed cleaning. In this particular instance, there was not a servant at this house.
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” John 13:5-11 NKJV
Think before you speak.
27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”
28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 8:27-33 NKJV
You have permission to speak freely to Jesus.
He can handle it.
He will correct you when you need it.
But when it comes down to it, this is what it’s all about. Are you willing to speak to others about Jesus?
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples with power. Thousands of people were gathered in Jerusalem.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38 NKJV
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:41 NKJV
Peter did not stay defeated as one who had denied Jesus. If you have let your mouth get you in trouble in the past, you don’t have to stay there. Confess your sins to God and He will forgive you. He can turn your weaknesses into strengths. He did it for Peter and He can do it for you.
