Simon Peter – His Life and Its Lessons
HIS BROTHER
This study attempts to briefly trace Simon Peter through the three grand divisions of the New Testament – the Gospels, the Acts, and the Epistles. We shall focus on his call, his conversion, his confession, his fall, and restoration. In other words, we shall briefly glance at only a few of the scenes and circumstances of his remarkable history, pondering valuable lessons along the way.
For the earliest notice of Simon Peter, we must turn to John 1. Here we find a scene full of interest and instruction. Among those gathered by the powerful ministry of John the Baptist were two men who heard him deliver glowing testimony about the Lamb of God. “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God.”
These words of life, freshness, and power fell with peculiar power on the hearts of two of John’s disciples – words welling up from the depths of a heart that had found the Christ (We are not told if the words were specially addressed to them). On the preceding day, John had spoken about the work of Christ. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” And again, “The same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”
Note particularly John's testimony regarding the person of the Lamb of God. “John stood”; no doubt riveted by the vision of Christ. “And looking upon Jesus, as He walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God.” This statement went straight to the heart of the two disciples standing beside him, and so affected them that they left their master to follow this new and infinitely more glorious Person.
There is nothing formal, official, or mechanical in testimony that emanates from an absorbed heart. It is the pure fruit of heart communion; there is nothing like a heart occupied and satisfied with Christ. It is the eye riveted, the heart fixed; the whole moral being centered and absorbed in that one commanding Person Who fills all Heaven with glory.
This is the kind of testimony needed in our private and public lives. We can never speak effectively for Christ, unless our hearts are filled with Him. This is why so many church leaders today are not spiritually effective. When Christ is the one absorbing object of the heart, there will be a tone and atmosphere that will in some way be seen by all who enter the place. One may not have much talent, not much teaching, little charm in singing; but the name of Christ fills the heart so much that, like an ointment, it pours forth. With an eye fixed on Him; a heart centered on Him; Jesus Christ is the commanding object – the satisfying portion. When the unanimous voice of the church of our Lord says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” it produces its own powerful effect, attracting souls to Him – convincing testimony that the people in that assembly have something the world can not comprehend.
Notice what effect this had on the two disciples of John the Baptist” “They heard him speak and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi - which is to say, being interpreted, Master - where dwellest Thou? He said unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day; for it was about the tenth hour.”
Thus the testimony of the Baptist led them to follow Jesus. As they followed, fresh light was poured on their path, and, in time, they found themselves in the abode of that One of whom they had heard John speak.
Their own hearts’ deepest longings were satisfied, but there was more. There was now that delightful going out after others. This is always the result of close personal acquaintance and occupation with the Person of Christ. “One of the two which heard John, and followed Jesus, 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.”
We should ponder how the circle of blessing widens. See the result of a single sentence uttered in truth and reality. It might seem to a carnal observer that by his testimony, John had lost. Far from it; he found his joy in pointing souls to Jesus. He did not want to link them to himself, or gather a group around himself. “John bare witness of Him, and cried saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me.” And again, “This is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they ask him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.”
What a fine moral lesson for Pharisees. “And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth One among you, whom ye know not. He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.”
It is not likely that a man who could bear such a testimony would be affected by the loss of a few disciples. In fact, he wasn’t losing them at all. The evidence of this is furnished from John’s own lips, replying to those who evidently thought he might feel bad at being left in the shade. “They came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, He that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all come to Him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:26-30).
Noble words. The joy of this most illustrious servant – this greatest born of woman, was to hide himself behind Jesus, his Master, finding personal strength in Him. As for himself, he was but a voice. Regarding his work, he was only baptizing with water; not worthy to loose the latchet of his Master’s shoe.
Such was John – the man whose glowing testimony led the brother of Simon Peter to the feet of the Son of God. The testimony was clear and distinct, and the work deep and real in the souls of those receiving it.
It does the heart good to note the simple, earnest, forcible words of Simon’s brother, Andrew. He is able to say, without reserve or hesitation, “We have found the Messias.” It was this that led him to seek out his brother. He lost no time. Saved and blessed himself, he at once sought out his brother.
How simple. How morally lovely. How divinely natural. No sooner had he found the Messias, than he went in search of his brother to tell him the good news. Isn’t it wonderful? Finding Christ for ourselves is the true secret of looking after others. There is no uncertainty in Andrew’s testimony – no wavering – no doubting or fearing. He does not even say, “I hope I have found.” No; all is clear and distinct. It would not have done Simon Peter much good had it been anything else. An uncertain sound is not much use to anyone.
It is important to be able to say, “I have found Christ.” We pray that you can say it? Doubtless, you’ve heard of Him. Perhaps, from the lips of some ardent lover of Jesus, you have heard “Behold the Lamb of God.” But the real question is this: have you followed that blessed One? If so, then you will long to find someone to tell about your newly found treasure; bringing someone to Jesus – a brother, sister, companion, fellow-student, fellow-worker, or neighbor. Remember, this was the way that the great Apostle Peter was called. He first heard of Jesus from the lips of his own brother Andrew. This mighty workman – this great preacher who experienced the conversion of three thousand souls – who opened the kingdom of Heaven to the Jew in Acts 3 and to the Gentile in Acts 10 – this blessed servant who was brought to Christ by the hand of his own brother.
