THE DEATH OF PETER

 “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:62

We have looked at what the words “and die” meant for Job, therefore let us apply that to our previous example of the Apostle Peter. Every element of the dying process was evident in Peter’s case. To begin with, the attacks against him centered on the very strengths of what Peter was known for. Here was the big, tough fisherman, the one who would never betray Jesus, who even took a sword to defend our Lord and try to prevent His capture. Here was the one who always had something to say and was always the one to stick his neck out. Here he was being confronted about his relationship with Jesus, not even by soldiers or Jewish officials, but by, among others, a young girl. Here he was, cowering, denying he ever knew Jesus, and cursing to prove it. Whatever Peter’s self-image may have been about himself or his relationship with Christ was now destroyed. His idea of himself as a man of courage, who on many occasions thought that he was the one who protected Jesus, was now gone. Now his human weakness was exposed, and his inability to do anything for Christ, even to stand and testify that he knew him, was made evident. This “fiery trial” had crushed him to the core of his being, and afterward he went out and “wept bitterly.”

1 Pet 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Matt 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

It is a bitter pill when we see ourselves as we really are. We are broken and sorrowful, much the same as when a loved one has died, and we weep and mourn their loss. Indeed, we love no one better than ourselves; and when our self-image is destroyed, we are left as one dead, with no joy in living, no purpose, no hope, or human desires. Peter’s hope of becoming a part of the anticipated kingdom of his Lord, where he would rule and reign with his Messiah, was now but a dying ember. He had witnessed the capture of the One he thought would save Israel, who now was being tried, and would be crucified. Finally, he had denied even knowing this One who had been his Master, Teacher, and Friend. Lost were all his earthly hopes, and his human dignity as well.

Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

We must not forget however, that everything that happened to Peter was completely orchestrated and under the control of the Master. Jesus had already plainly told Peter that, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” and, “thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” What Jesus had said to Peter was not just a matter of— ‘These things are going to happen and neither you nor I can do anything about it’; but, ‘This is my plan for you, that will bring about my purpose for you.’ Notice the words, “Satan hath desired”; just as in the case of Job, Satan did not have free reign to do all that he wanted, but had to have permission from the Lord Himself; and he could only act when what he did fulfilled the purposes of God. It should be the soft pillow upon which the saints of God lay their heads in the dark night of trials, that God is sovereignly in control of all that happens to us. His promise is that “all things work together for good”—for the good of His people, and for the good pleasure and purpose of our God.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Rom8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Peter however, because of his own pride, had chosen not to accept or believe the plain words of the Master. In spite of the fact that previously, it had been revealed to him just who Jesus was, Peter challenged the Lord’s words concerning what all the disciples would do after Jesus’ arrest. Now, however, the words came ringing clear in Peter’s ears—he had indeed forsaken his Lord, warmed himself at the enemy’s fire, denied knowing Christ, and to prove it, he began to curse and swear. He now saw himself as Jesus had seen him all along, and as He sees all men—that in ourselves, when placed in the fires of temptation and tribulation, we fail. All our morality, all of our personal standards, all our pride and human strength is crushed, and then burned away by the intense heat of our trials. We are left knowing that we are weak, spineless failures. Peter, later on in one of his epistles, would relate man’s strength to the grass of the field which is blown about with the wind, soon withers, and then dies under the intense heat of the sun. We can be sure that his humiliating failure was in his thoughts as he penned those words.

1 Pet 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

Peter is now devastated by what he has done; and the final disgrace is when the Lord looks at Peter, not with the eyes of—‘I told you so,’ but with the eyes of compassion. Feeling deep shame, along with the crushing blow to his pride, Peter leaves the enemy’s fire and goes to some place to be alone, and there he weeps bitterly. When all the human imaginations about ourselves come tumbling down like a house of sticks, we are emotionally devastated. There is no one on this earth that can comfort us in those times. We are broken-hearted and our grief cannot be assuaged. The tears of self-pity, defeat, and humiliation will begin to flow until we are emotionally dry.

Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

After the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection, Peter feels like a traitorous coward who no longer has any part in the work of his Lord. Therefore, Peter returns to his old craft of fishing. The hopes and dreams he had concerning himself being an important figure in the kingdom of Christ, are now swept away. He goes back to doing what he feels is necessary to support himself and his family. He is going through the motions of living. He is like a walking corpse that is empty of all zeal for life, doing only what is necessary for physical existence. Like Humpty Dumpy he has had a great fall; and nothing, and no one of this world can put him together again. To add insult to injury, even when returning to do that which he is an expert at doing, he fishes all night and catches nothing. Trying to live our lives apart from our Lord, living as the rest of the world lives, is a frustrating experience for the true disciple of the Lord. It is also fruitless and unsatisfying.

John 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

At this, the lowest point in Peter’s experience, Jesus must, in love and gentleness, draw Peter back into the fellowship of serving and suffering for His Lord’s sake. Jesus had already appeared to the disciples as a group in the upper room, and had rekindled their faith by showing Himself alive. Peter however, needed a special intervention from the Lord to restore to him the lost fellowship and joy of serving Christ. When Jesus calls to the disciples from the shore as they were fishing, he asks, “Children, have ye any meat?” Now, as has been said already, when God asks a question it is not to gather information, for He already knows the answer to everything. He asks questions that we may ponder His words and give thought to what He is really asking. The question to them was not—‘Have you caught any fish?’ The Lord had already ordained that the disciples would be completely fruitless and discouraged in trying to become fishermen again. He designs all of our circumstances so that we become totally frustrated in trying to again live our old lives in this world—instead of seeking the higher plane of life that He has for us. The question Jesus asked was instead—‘Are you satisfied in your souls about returning to the fishing trade? Is this what you want to do with the rest of your lives? Will you find real fulfillment and meaning, as well as reap eternal rewards, by catching fish?’

John 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Psa 139:1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Jesus, in the face of the disciple’s frustration, tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. Now, in a practical way, what did it matter on which side of the boat the disciples were fishing? If the fish were down in the water under the boat, they could surely be caught from either side. The lesson here for Peter and the other disciples was this—that only in following the Lord and obeying His directions faithfully, could they hope to see any fruitfulness in their lives. This was not a lesson about catching fish, but it would teach them one of the great principles about the great work of catching men for their Lord. Peter, in particular, was very headstrong and constantly wanting to initiate some action that he thought appropriate. Most of us will try to do some work for God that we have initiated, and then afterward, ask Him to bless it. However, God only blesses what God ordains and does; and if we are to be successful, we must follow His instructions and leading.

John 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Matt 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths

An interesting side note to consider about this passage is the phrase “right side of the ship.” Jesus Himself is God’s “right hand,” and He now sits on “the right hand of the throne of God.” We are lead “by the right way” and “in right paths.” When Jesus returns to rule on this earth He separates His sheep “on his right hand.” Everything concerning Jesus and what He asks us to do is “right” and “righteous” and “righteousness,” compared to all that we are and do, which is foolishness and sin. Have you ever considered why people with conservative values are called the right side of the political spectrum, and those who are liberal about morality are called the left?

Psa 98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psa 107:7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Prov 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

Matt 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Ecc 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

There is also another interesting side note here, in that, while they fished, Peter was naked in the boat. What a picture of all of us who are “naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Peter felt quite natural in the presence of the other men, but was now aware of his spiritual nakedness in the presence of the Lord. He, like Adam and Eve, quickly gathered something to try and cover himself. Men may feel quite comfortable around other men, “comparing themselves among themselves”; not knowing, or even ignoring the fact that they are naked, that they have no covering for their sins. However, when The True Light shines upon us, even as Jesus looked upon the disciples in the boat, we are instantly aware and see ourselves as we are seen. Peter’s pride was deeply wounded by his denial, but his real need was to see his nakedness. In looking again at this analogy, Peter attempted to cover his nakedness by his own efforts, and threw himself into the water—a picture of immersing ourselves in the world to avoid the Lord’s gaze.

John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

2Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

1Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

The disciples now struggle with their little boat to bring it to shore, dragging the net full of fish. Peter himself is also struggling, out of the boat and in the water with his heavy fisherman’s coat on, trying to get to shore on his own. He is not helping with getting the boat to shore or with the load of fish at this point. There are so many analogies in these verses, and while not wanting to belabor ourselves in examining them all, there are some that would enhance our understanding of all that is happening to Peter. The fish of course, represent the gathering of souls from the sea of men. Some have even said that the number of fish caught is significant, representing the number of nations in existence when the Lord returns. At His first encounter with these fishermen, before they became the followers of Jesus, they also had caught a great many fish for their own benefit, but no number was ever mentioned. The last analogy that might be worth mentioning, is that none of the fish that were caught by the Lord’s command were lost. In the first event, while fishing for themselves, their net broke; but now the net holds the fish securely. Our human efforts of making believers wind up with only torn nets and many lost fish; but when we fish under God’s direction none of our efforts are lost. What the disciples could not do on their own has now been highly successful in union with their Lord. Jesus has caught many fish by His own gathering, the disciples being some of them; and now He invites them to add to His catch, those fish which, by His Word, they will gather.

John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 

Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

1 Cor 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Upon the shore, the disciples gather around the fire that the Lord has kindled, see the fish He has prepared, and are invited to come and dine. In a spiritual sense, He is saying to them—‘Come and warm yourselves by my fire, and be satisfied with the meat that I have prepared;  and you will find warmth and rest and satisfaction for you souls.’ God appeared throughout the Scriptures to Abraham, to Moses, to Israel, and to the disciples at Pentecost as a burning fire. Now, we are all familiar with the properties and uses of fire—to give light, to provide warmth, to cook food, to sterilize, and more. To the lost, and to the works of the flesh, God will be a consuming fire, burning up everything of man—the wood, hay, and stubble of human works. For his people, fiery trials will be to cleanse and purify, and to reveal whether their works are of God—the gold, silver, and precious stones that can endure the heat of the flame. The fire of God also gives them light and warmth in the dark cold world. The fiery trials that we go through are an evidence to us that we are a child of God; and when their work is done, we find ourselves better because of them. Peter had warmed himself by the fire of the enemies of Christ and had found no comfort; but here, by the fire which the Lord kindled, he will be drawn to the warm heart and love of the Savior.

John 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Gen 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Ex 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

Exo 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

1 Pet 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The meat and bread that Jesus gave to them speaks of Himself—the Mania from Heaven, the Bread of Life, His flesh which He gave for the life of the world—which if a man eat thereof, he will not die. Christ is our spiritual sustenance, our daily mania upon which we feed. His body is our life, without Him we cannot live. Without the enrichment that comes from Him alone, we find no satisfaction in this world.

John 6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

After they had eaten, the Lord’s attention is now turned specifically to Peter. In spite of the fact that Peter has been restored to the physical presence of the Lord, Jesus, knowing that Peter is deeply pained and ashamed by his betrayal and lack of courage, now gets to the heart of the matter to bring Peter back into the fold. To Jesus it did not matter that Peter had failed him, for He knew all men, “that we are dust.” Jesus knew that all of His disciples would flee in the face of the intense trial that was to come. He told them so before it happened. Jesus knew that the disciples, in their own human strength, could not serve Him and stand up to the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil. The only thing that mattered to Jesus was—‘Peter, do you love Me? Is serving Me more important to you than the things of this world?’ The power for service would come later, but what Jesus wanted now was Peter’s love and commitment to serve Him. We must note also, that Jesus questioned Peter’s devotion to Him three times, the same number of times Peter’s accusers questioned his relationship to Christ. Now, however, instead of denying Jesus three times, Peter confesses his love three times. Jesus also, each time Peter answers, asks for Peter’s commitment to serve Him. Peter had thought he could never serve Christ after his denial of Him; but Jesus reaffirms that He has a great work for Peter to do. At this point, Peter’s heart was overwhelmed. The Great Physician, who knows how to heal broken hearts, has done His work. Peter’s broken spirit was now restored as he felt the Lord’s love, forgiveness, and acceptance of him—in spite of his weakness and betrayal. Whereas before, he had wept tears of bitterness and shame, he may now have wept tears of gratitude and joy. Peter’s heart was now fully prepared to follow his Master, even to the death—but not in his own strength, for that was dead to Peter.

Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

If one has a love for Christ, nothing else matters; and everything else will be supplied, including divine strength, wisdom, and direction. Whatever service the Lord has for us to accomplish will not be done through the energy of our flesh, for that has to be crucified; but it will be done through the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s transformation was not yet complete, for that would come when the Spirit of Christ came and indwelled him at Pentecost; but he was now a ready vessel, empty of self, with no hope in himself or any worldly ambitions. The only thing he had now was a love for Christ that was greater than a love for himself.

2 Pet 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Matt 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

What then was the result in Peter’s life of his cursing and bitter fall? One must only look in the Book of Acts and in his Epistles to view Peter’s transformation. In the accounts from the Scriptures of Peter’s life, we now see that he was a different man. Instead of being brash, outspoken, self-willed, always in the forefront of every situation, he is now subdued, under the control of Christ, patiently waiting upon his Lord. He is still a leader, but now he is under the leadership of Christ. Whereas before he trusted in his own strength, he now relies upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Having been emptied of his self-will and fleshly strength, he is now surrendered to the will of God and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Before, he cowered before a young girl and denied Christ, but now, even when brought before the very counsel that accused Jesus, and being told not to continue his preaching, he boldly admonishes the Jewish hierarchy on whether one ought to obey God or men. Throughout the Book of Acts we see him boldly standing for his Lord, and leading the disciples as the infant church is established. His Epistles also reveal his changed attitude, as he constantly admonishes husbands, wives, children, servants, and church members to be submissive, kind, and tenderhearted in all that they do.

Acts 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

1 Pet 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

1 Pet 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Pet 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

At this point we must also say—that there is a difference between being bold in the strength of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of Christ, and the fleshly kind of boldness that Peter exhibited in his former state. Too many of God’s children walk around with an arrogant attitude toward the lost, and other believers as well. They are bold, but they are bold in the flesh, and they do great harm to the work of the Lord. The true Spirit of Christ is to be found in boldly doing the work of the Lord in an attitude of meekness, tenderness, and love. Even Jesus was noted for His meekness and tenderness to everyone except the self-righteous religious leaders.

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men

1 Pet 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Matt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matt 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.