Eyewitnesses Of His Majesty

by R. Hyland, Rhyl, Wales | Category: General | Jul 1987

Almost three years had passed since that memorable first meeting. Andrew had made the introduction, the faithful bearer of the marvellous discovery that he and others had made: "We have found the Messiah" (John 1:41). Now as then, the Lord Jesus needs those who will gladly share with others the good news of salvation. Little did Andrew realize the value of his witnessing that day, and he certainly could not have foreseen the scope of the work that the Lord had in mind for Peter.

Any doubts that the newly named Peter may have had following that first meeting were soon dispelled when the Lord called him to follow Him. His passion for fishing, the lure of the sea, could detain him no longer, the Master's call could not be resisted. He left all behind to learn how to catch men for Christ. If Andrew could not have foreseen the change of lifestyle neither could Peter, but he began from that day an apprenticeship in soul-winning that would develop much later into mature leadership and shepherd care.

Perhaps the Lord's words through Hosea, concerning His love for Israel, capture something of the wonder of the Lord's care for Peter.

"I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them

(Hosea 11:4 RAV)

The bands of love remained unbroken throughout Peter's life with

its many "ups and downs". The oppressive yoke was replaced by the Lord's easy yoke and the sight of the Lord stooping down with the towel lived on in Peter's memory as an example of humility to be followed by all who seek to be leaders of God's people. In retrospect he wrote, "Gird yourselves with humility to serve one another" (1 Pet. 5:5).

Peter was caught up in a new life now; he was never far away from the Lord; except for the time he was sent forth as one of the twelve (Mat. 10:

1-5), he remained in almost daily company with Him. There are three outstanding events recorded in the Gospels, in which Peter together with James and John shared. Each could be described as the experience of a lifetime, but seen together they represent a picture of the Lord unsurpassed by many other word-pictures presented in the Gospels.

How fully the Lord entered into the sorrow that engulfed Jairus' family and friends. Instantly responding to a desperate need, the miraculous touch and the commanding word of the "Man of sorrows" immediately remedied a situation in which death would have made its inevitable intrusion. The Lord's authority was clear for all to see and for once it seems that Peter was speechless! But he did not forget, and in Acts 2:22 we read the account of his address to his brethren:

"Jesus... a man approved of God by mighty signs and wonders"

Peter, James and John were also close to the Lord in the Garden. While the Lord agonized Peter slept! He woke to the Lord's gentle chiding, "could YOU not watch?" The lesson was not lost on Peter and he later wrote, "Be sober unto prayer no doubt with the insight he had received from the Lord's words to him, 'the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". If Peter needed this lesson then so do we! Like the disciples we need to realize the importance of daily prayer, and like them, we need to be taught how to pray.

Like Andrew, Peter could not have anticipated the joy and wonder that would fill his soul as he responded to the Lord's call, "come follow Me" (Mark 1:17 NIV).

It was in the holy mount that Peter, together with James and John had the unique privilege of seeing the Lord's transcendent majesty (Mat. 17:18) Although it could only be a brief glimpse it was sufficient to stir him to write in his first epistle of a future "revelation of Jesus Christ" which we all should be awaiting. And in his second epistle he recalls with pleasure that uplifting mountain experience: "we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (1:16).

We turn in closing to dwell a little on Peter's word to us. The seasoned fisherman, expert at his ancient craft, but untrained in literary skills, takes up his pen under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to thrill the longing hearts of countless believers throughout the years. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... begotten us again unto a LIVING HOPE" (1 Pet. 1:3). He spans the ocean of God's love in Christ and points us forward to the bliss of a reserved inheritance READY to be revealed. Brethren and sisters it must be very near now! The lesson that the blessed hope should affect our lives from day to day is pressed home: "girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope ... as children of obedience" (1 Pet. 13,14).

While we wait for that glad day, what is the light affliction (if any) of our present life compared with the endless bliss of the Father's house to which we shall all be removing soon!

Peter glimpsed the Lord's glory for a moment, but for him and for us there awaits the eternal unfolding of His glory and grace. As well as writing about the future certainties, he wrote (in chapter 2) of the prospect of obedient disciples coming to Christ, and in subjection to God's will becoming God's people today.

Readers will appreciate the need to differentiate between the unconditional nature of the eternal inheritance and the conditional teaching regarding God's present purposes for His people, which Peter outlines for us.

We pause here to reflect on the mercy and forgiveness of God triumph. mg over the dismal failure of Peter's denial through the Lord's own gracious supplication! A restored Peter establishes his brethren 'and becomes after Pentecost a worthy leader am6ng the "little flock". His writings to the early churches, although brief compared with Paul's, contain some precious truths regarding the Lord's will for us today.

R. Hyland, Rhyl, Wales | Jul 1987
General