Peter Makes Me Feel Better About My Own Shortcomings

See my previous post for the sermon that I am discussing here.

I love the way Ellie begins this sermon because I think almost everyone has a similar memory of learning to ride a bike.  I know that my own memory of my father teaching me is very similar.  By using this example I feel like she made the Bible passage more accessible for me. 

I really connected with how Ellie describes the relationship between Jesus and Peter.  I love the way she says "I don’t think Jesus asks Peter about his doubts because he is judging Peter’s lack of faith or shaming him for being weak in the midst of the wind and the waves. Jesus knows all to well Peter’s limitations as a human being. He himself came into the world to live and to feel and to know that part of the human experience has to do with limitations, our limited vision and capacity, our propensity to forget God’s goodness, God’s faithfulness when we are in a dark and lonely wilderness. Jesus knows this all too well because he is one of us. I think Jesus asks Peter why he doubted because he wants to help Peter learn something important in this moment."

As a teacher myself I agree with Ellie's interpretation of this "teaching moment."  I like the idea that Jesus is not "calling Peter out."  He is not punishing Peter for doubting but instead showing him that he will be there no matter what happens EVEN if and when Peter doubts.  Peter makes me feel better about myself because I know that I too have many shortcomings and often doubt God's plan when life gets difficult.  It is easy to believe in God's Divine plan and presence when things are going well but it is not so easy to keep this faith when life seems dark and the challenges before us threaten to overwhelm us.  I often feel like Peter.  However I now realize that this is OK.  God is not going to judge me for doubting him.  Instead he will forgive me because he knows that as humans we are wired to doubt.  This is not to give us an excuse but to say that doubt is something that we as humans will always struggle against. 

When I spoke to Ellie about her sermon I explained to her how glad I was that she had chosen to talk about Peter and told her that I too am now thankful for Peter because he makes me feel better about my own mistakes.  Ellie went on to remind me that many of the apostles were imperfect people.  Many of them did horrible things before they came to Jesus.  For example, Paul, was responsible for the persecution and deaths of many Christians before coming to Jesus.  However in spite all of the imperfections that his followers had, Jesus was able to turn them into something wonderful.  He was able to use their shortcoming to teach them about his way and forgave them for their mistakes no matter how terrible they may have been.  In the same way I believe that if we let Jesus help us, he can turn our doubts, our mistakes, and our sins into a life that means something and is spent helping people to make our world a better place.