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A Man Called "Peter"
1 Peter 1:1

"John and Sons Fresh Fish"

Perhaps mom supervised the market while the men cleaned up from the night of labor. They were hard-working, solid "blue-collar" folk. The kind of people every small village was proud to have. Right neighborly people but their "clock" ticked on a different schedule. Night people mostly, work all night…sleep all day.

And the boys…the younger one was always helpful, sensitive, concerned. Always alert to "needs," Andy was the kind of kid you just really liked to have hanging around with your own children. Pete? He was inquisitive, talkative, impetuous and a risk-taker. He was the source of lots of dinner table stories and laughter. But you probably were a bit concerned when your own children started hanging out with him. Always an adventure, but never quite sure if thought may or may not have gone into the event before hand. Yet, as you watched them grow into manhood, they certainly proved to be a source of pride to their parents.

"John and Sons Fresh Fish"

Not sure how well Peter would have done in a "job interview." The HR department would likely have not recommended him for a "management training" track. He was too unpredictable and a bit too self-asserting for solid leadership. But then along comes Jesus…

Peter has received far more credit than he has deserved. That is, not to say that he is not legendary or that he does not merit respect and honor. It's just that what Jesus said has been so twisted that we can't hear his name without jumping immediately to unmerited conclusions. By this I mean, Peter is NOT the first Pope!

"I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church…"—Matthew 16:18 His name means "rock/stone" and contrary to what mere humans would have concluded, he was developing into the kind of solid character that could be relied upon. Strength was growing in him, but he was still a fallible man. Peter was NOT the kind of stock upon which you could erect an indestructible monument. No, the Church that Christ was building would not rest upon the foundation of a Peter but upon the solid ground of Peter’s bold confession. "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!"—Matthew 16:16

And seeing that conviction burned deeply into his soul, the Lord called Pete and Andy away from their boats, apart from their nets and pointed them to a radically new direction of life. He would build His church on the firm foundation of the truth that He IS the Christ and He IS the Son of the Living God! Another "Father and Son" was established and He wisely chose to employ, for its irrepressible success, a man called Peter.

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom