- Matthew 4:18-20 - And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
- John 1:40-42 - One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus.
- Matthew 14:27-29 - But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
- Matthew 17:1-5 - And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them... and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
- Matthew 16:21-23 - From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem... and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Peter was an ordinary person, yet God used him for extraordinary service. He lived in the generation when Jesus Christ walked the earth, died, and rose again. Peter first met the Lord through his brother Andrew. When Jesus called them to follow Him, both brothers left their fishing trade and became His disciples. Peter always yearned to be near Jesus. His walking on water toward Him during a storm and witnessing Christ's glory on the Mount of Transfiguration showed his sincere love for the Lord. Yet, he still had much to learn. Early in his ministry, Peter often spoke without thinking and made hasty decisions, leading to mistakes. When Jesus spoke of His suffering and death, Peter rebuked Him, as if he knew God's plan better. Jesus immediately corrected him. But Peter did not remain in that state. Over time, the Lord changed his character. He learned to trust Christ more, to listen before speaking, and to learn from his mistakes. Later, God entrusted him with great responsibility in the early church. Peter's life shows us that God uses ordinary people to build His Kingdom. He does not look for the perfect or the most capable; He uses those who trust in Christ and follow Him. Every believer receives eternal life only by grace, through faith. Spiritual growth and fruitful service are not conditions of salvation, but the result of living with Christ and obeying Him.
Reflection
What ordinary aspects of your life is God using in an extraordinary way for His Kingdom?
