Peter's Transformation

2Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Peter was one of the most difficult, hard headed, stubborn, impetuous, outspoken men. But God...had a marvelous plan for him. I marvel at that because it shows how He can transform anyone. When God got hold of him and tweaked him he was changed. Where once he questioned Jesus, as a man who thought he knew it all, now he spoke exuberantly yet humbly  about His Master and Savior.

I think of the times Peter spoke too soon, out of place or without thinking and stuck his big, old foot in his mouth. Jesus even rebuked him a couple of noted times (Matthew 16, Mark 8). His faith was shaky and Jesus even called him satan one time, meaning that Peter had allowed satan's power to enter in.  He spoke out of misunderstanding when he did not think it right for Jesus to wash his feet. He even, in the worst imaginable act, denied Jesus prior to His crucifixion...after denying he ever would. How weak we all are. 

But Jesus knew something so wonderful about Peter and knew what he would be capable of long after His life on earth came to an end. I'm so glad He does that with us too. He knows what we are capable of doing and if we just take the time to listen so that we might hear His instructions it will be accomplished.

Peter was chosen by Jesus. He walked and talked with Him. He walked on water, he healed a lame man and a beggar, and no doubt countless more. He was with Him at His transfiguration. Despite his Simon personality he would become Peter, a rock of firmness, in time. God eventually used Peter's negative, natural, strong convictions for His glory...after Peter had humbled himself.

Simon means "to be heard." Names were important in those days. Usually children were named after an event or memory of a particular child's birth. No doubt God had a part in naming Simon. He already knew what plans He had for him. Simon would be heard someday when he boldly preached the Gospel.

But first he would encounter a man named Jesus and would be groomed to become what Jesus changed his name to mean, "rock." There was a reason for this name change. He was to be Jesus' main man, as it were. He didn't know it and maybe if he would have he might have gotten a big head about it. Peter had to be chastised again and again, much to his dismay. He had to learn to subdue himself and not be so brash and outspoken so Jesus could do a work in him. That's what he does with us. 

Jesus knew what Peter's future held in store. He would do as Jesus prompted him: Feed my sheep. Later he would be heard as he preached with a totally different character what he had learned sitting at the feet of Jesus. He just had to learn the hard way how to submit, to realize it was not just about him.

Peter hesitated in his faith at first but later when Jesus was gone he stepped up to both his names, actually. Not only was he now strong and stable, like a rock, in his faith, but he now was now being heard as he preached with gusto his belief in Jesus Christ. After he had gotten several doses of humbling, gotten through the humility of his denial of Christ, been tested, he was ready to move ahead. He'd been trained by the Master. 

Peter was willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of the Gospel. He'd been rejected, persecuted and imprisoned, like Jesus. He also was crucified; however, he asked to be hung upside down because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. How he had changed. When we have changed so drastically, like Peter did, people notice. And God can have His way.

You can see the change in the words he wrote in his books. I'm sure Peter looked back and recalled his own words and foibles. And he also remembered the look of love on Jesus' face in the midst of his mistakes. He was, after all, now Peter, the rock, once called Simon. Transformation... He was still that outspoken man but now he preached with great abandon about salvation in Jesus alone, love, peace, encouragement...and submission...all with joy, despite his suffering. He got it at last! He had arrived!

I hope a day comes when I have changed that much. We all have some natural "quirks" that God has given us. In the natural they may not be the best thing to have, but through God they may be the most magnificent characteristics.

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.