journal/THE ROCK

TODAY we celebrate the feast of THE CHAIR of Saint Peter-THE ALL TOO HUMAN ROCK
-just like us

He lost faith and had to be rescued when he tried to walk on water
He was rebuked by Christ on more than one occasion
AND FINALLY-in Christ's time of GREATEST NEED-he denied him three times

It makes us wonder WHAT did Christ see in this so-called ROCK

MAYBE it was HIS heart and GENUINE LOVE FOR OTHERS

DEAR LORD- we pray that our love for GOD AND CHRIST may be STRONG
just like Peter's-and help us to KNOW that it is not the QUALIFIED that GOD CALLS
-BUT he qualifies the CALLED












THE ROCK






“And I tell you
That you are Peter
And on this rock
I will build my church
And the gates of hell
Will NOT overcome it” Matthew 16:18


ROCK---something solid
Something that can’t be moved
By anything
Rock---the ONE who won’t fail you


But like us
Peter---the rock
Did fail Jesus---AT FIRST


“Get behind me Satan
You are an obstacle to me
You are thinking
NOT as God does
But as human beings do” Matthew 16:23


And we know
That Peter denied Christ three times
And then went outside
And wept bitterly in shame


The good news for Peter
For us
Is that the story
Does NOT END there


Peter later preached in Rome
And wrote two epistles


In his epistles---his letters
To the early church


Peter tried to encourage
The early Christian believers
To remain strong
Despite their suffering


Peter encourages believers
To count it as a privilege
To suffer For the sake of Christ


He tells us to “rejoice”
When Satan and the world
Aim to hurt you


He tells us
That the ASSURANCE of eternal life
Is given to all Christians


The Word of the Lord
STANDS FOREVER


We know
That Peter denied the Lord 3 times
Bud did you know that
After the Resurrection
He AFFIRMED Christ 3 times


Jesus said to Simon Peter,


“Simon---son of John
Do you truly love me
More than these?”


“Yes Lord,” he said, “You know that I do “
“Feed my lambs,” Jesus said


Jesus asked again,


“Simon, son of John,
Do you truly love me?”
“Yes Lord, you know that I love you,” Peter answered
“Take care of my sheep,” Jesus said


A third time, Jesus said,


“Simon, son of John do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked a third time and said,
“Lord---you know ALL things
You know that I love you”
Jesus said,
“Feed my sheep” John 21:15:through 17


Once Jesus asked Peter,


“But what about you
Who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15


And Peter responded,


“You are the Christ
The Son of the Living God” Matthew 16:18


In he end---Peter had so much faith
He was crucified upside down
For preaching the Word of God ( Peter did not feel WORTHY to be crucified
Like Christ )


THE ROCK---SOMETHING SOLID
Something that can’t be moved


WHO DO YOU SAY THAT CHRIST WAS


Robert P. Wallman
8-28-11


Peter’s principal feast day is June 29^th---celebrated with Saint Paul
The Chair OF SAINT Peter's feast day is February 22^nd






misc. WITNESS 2-22-14