Hello. We are going to dive deeper into the story of Peter. We left Peter in part 5 (John chapter 21) being led and “bound” to Christ. “Binding” is a meaning in the Greek describing an aspect of Christ’s personal ministry to you and me.
It’s another way of saying Jesus is taking us unto himself for care, healing and restoration.
In previous posts in this series I’ve shown some of the other words used to describe this process, such as “taken,” “prepared,” “revealed,” and yet to be discussed in a future post, the term “birthing,” of Christ.
Peter is the first apostle Christ chooses to take deep in him. Peter will begin to experience intimacy, closeness and union with Christ he never thought possible. As Jesus reveals himself in the areas of Peter’s heart held in darkness, wounds and sin, Peter will become more dependent, connected, and united to Christ.
Christ will fulfill the mandate of his Father to make Peter into his image and likeness. And Peter will apprehend what Christ apprehended him for, to be made a new creation in Jesus Christ.
Christ is calling you and me to make the same journey in him, following the footsteps of those who have gone before us in obedience to Jesus and the holy Scriptures.
Their Testimony
Peter’s two letters are sandwiched between the letters written by James and John. And, it is fitting their letters follow the book of Hebrews.
In my take of things, the book of Hebrews is in many ways first and foremost the story of Christ’s journey – his testimony. Everything else in the book either points to or derives from his perfection and victory over the kingdom of darkness.
The letters of James, Peter, John and Jude are threaded with parts of their journey, their testimony, what they’ve overcome and apprehended in Christ.
And it is fitting the book of Revelation is last. Because it captures the story of the church through the New Testament period – which Christ founded and they pillared – and its testimony in Christ.
So, we have these six testimonies – Jesus, James, Peter, John, and Jude followed with the grand testimony of Christ as revealed in the church and in the world.
Taken together, these books are like a mini Bible. Hebrews the journey of Christ to an indestructible life and eternal priesthood, James, Peter, and John’s apprehension of Christ in their own life, and Revelation – the revealing of Jesus Christ in his church and in the world.
What a glorious way to end the writings of the greatest story lived and told.
Some More About My Personal Journey
In 2014 the Lord began a deep work in my life (and continues to this day in different aspects). Through some of 2014 and most of 2015 and 2016 I was counseled and ministered to in prayer on a semi-weekly basis.
The minister who counseled me and provided prayer ministry was also gifted in the area of the prophetic. On many occasions he discerned things I was experiencing or even planning to do that he had no knowledge. In particular, a couple of times he spoke about the Lord taking me deep in a number of venues.
Unbeknownst to him, the Lord was taking me deep in his word showing me new insight and revelation of his journey (the Lord’s) and the journey of those chosen in Christ. This is what my site is all about. I have yet to write about some of the deep treasures in the word the Lord has given me.
The Lord is doing a deep work in multitudes across the globe. Recently I had occasion to be ministered to by a prayer minister who’s been praying for people for almost 30 years. She said the Lord told her almost 20 years ago her ministry was to prepare the body of Christ for connection and union with him.
If you knew the details of my story you would know I was in tremendous need of deep healing and restoration by Jesus. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am the Lord intervened in my life and is personally committed to healing and restoring me.
I had deep pockets of wounds, darkness and sins needing the revelation of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus knows how much farther he plans to take me.
But what about you? Maybe you were brought up in a loving, honoring and nurturing environment. Maybe your pockets are not as deep or broad as mine were. Nonetheless, the Scripture makes it clear none of us have escaped the corruption of this world. (2 Peter 1:4)
The Scripture makes no distinction between those in tremendous need of healing and those who express little if any need of healing. (See Romans chapter 3)
The Scriptures Written on the Fleshly Tables of Our Hearts
In the book of Hebrews God says he will write the word of God in our hearts and in our minds. And we see the testimony of that process in the life of Christ, James, Peter, John, Jude and in the saints at large.
This is your journey and mine as well – the writing of the word of God in our minds and in our hearts. As you read their letter’s (James, Peter, etc.,), – their testimonies and exhortation’s – I hope you can see their words as expressions of who they are, what they believe, and what they’ve become.
These writings represent in many ways the completed work of Christ in their life. Jesus is putting them on display, having them proclaim what Christ can accomplish in the heart and mind of man. Jesus is saying, “Look and listen to them, their journey is your journey and what I have accomplished in them, I can accomplish in you.”
The early apostles are inviting us into their home, the home of their heart. Their letters tell us of their struggles, sufferings, and testify and exhort us to follow in their footsteps as they followed in Christ’s.
Simply, in different ways and expressions, they are the word of God made flesh. The mystery of the gospel – the word of God and the Holy Spirit transforming and sanctifying their natures unto holiness – bringing to death the old nature to walk in newness of life.
Back to Peter
We left Peter in part 5 being called by Jesus into a deeper walk with Christ. It will be a time of renewed initiation, testing, and discipleship. A time of deep healing and restoration.
Jesus will be personally involved in the care of Peter, something he was not able to do while clothed in flesh. Jesus promised he would not leave his disciples as orphans and he’s making good on his promise beginning with Peter.
What about you? Though having parents, do you struggle with or have the symptoms of being an orphan? Jesus is here, now, inviting you into a deeper place with him.
Jesus will reveal his grace and nature in the wounded and broken places of Peter’s heart. He will teach Peter how to die to the sinful practices of the lower nature. Peter will learn obedience in the care of Christ.
Jesus will teach Peter how to carry his cross and follow him. He will teach him what it is to love his enemies and pray for those who persecute him. But most importantly, Jesus will bring Peter to a place where Peter is “true” to his Father’s delight and love of him.
This is a lifelong journey in Christ.
In Closing
It appears 1 and 2 Peter were written late in the latter years of his life. These letters are the mystery of the gospel revealed to us in written form. They testify of the transforming power of Jesus Christ to turn a sinner into a saint.
When you and I read these letters, we are reading the word of God written on the tables of Peter’s heart. We are reading the word of God made flesh in the man named Peter. We are reading the story of the gospel journey in the life of one man. These letters are Peter’s “transfiguration” in writing.
These are not just words, but the meaning and experience of these words have been etched into the very fabric of who Peter is. You and I are reading the words of someone who has run the race and is about to cross the finish line.
I love the way Peter opens up his first letter. 1 Peter 1:2, “who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”(NIV)
In my next post in this series we will explore Peter’s words expressed in this verse in more detail.
I pray my writings ignite your heart, refresh your spirit and renew your interest in reading and meditating on the holy Scriptures in your pursuit of the treasures Christ has just for you.
(NIV) Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblical, Inc.™
