GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 31

Our  book excerpt today, and ongoing,  is from “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand”  Lessons from the Life of Peter, by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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There is a story of a painter who saw a beggar whose clothes were tattered, hair unkempt, and his face dirty.  The artist decided to paint the man as he might have looked if he had the dignity of a job and home.  When he invited the beggar to see the painting, the beggar didn’t recognize himself.  “that’s me?” he asked.  “Yes,” said the artist, “that’s what I see in you.”  For the first time in years the aging man was given hope.  He promised, “By God’s grace I’m going to be the kind of man you see me to be!”

Christ, the omnipotent artist, saw not the Peter who Was but the Peter he WOULD BECOME. “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called “Cephas”.   As already mentioned, that name means “rock”.  Rock is formed by sand that is under pressure and heat.  Peter would have his character changed from instability to stability.  Simon was the name given to him by his parents;  Rock was given to him by Christ.

What does the name Rock affirm?

First, we think of strength.  A rock signifies stability, dependability, and permanence.  The man who builds his house on the rock can withstand the storms of life.  Though everything else may be swept away, the rock stands firm. Simon’s insecurities and fears would be turned into a monument to God’s unfailing grace.

Second, a rock symbolizes permanence.  A rock remains though all else be swept away.  When a dam breaks, spilling torrents of water into the area, all the sand along the riverbank is washed away.  But the huge boulders remain.  So it will be at the end of the age; everything we did that was not tied to God and His eternal purposes will be carried away by the flood of God’s judgment.   The rocks will remain.

When is the last time Peter is referred to in the New Testament?  We might be tempted to say that it is in the Book of Acts or in his own epistles.  But his name is inscribed in the New Jerusalem and will be there forever as a testimony of his faithfulness.  We read in Revelation 21:14:

“Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

Peter’s name, along with that of the other apostles, is permanently engraved in one of the pillars of the Holy city!

Peter and his contribution to Christ’s work will survive the destruction of the earth and the burning up of all of its elements.  This rock will endure long after the flames of judgment have done their damage.  There he is, a fisherman, but also a pillar in the eternal city of God.

We cannot be sure that Peter was converted during this first encounter with Christ.  Yet he left that initial interview both elated and despairing.  He must have wondered whether Christ really understood who he was, a rough fisherman filled with the frailty and desires of the flesh.  How could he ever become known as “the man of rock”?  Yet his affection has been won, his soul stirred with restless passion.  Now that he had met Christ, he would never be the same.  Though he had an ordinary past, he would have an extraordinary future.

Christ’s words provided the hope and motivation Peter needed to think beyond the immediate pressures of earning a living.  In moments of loneliness, misunderstanding, and failure, he could reflect on Christ’s prediction that he would become a man of stability and strength.  Regardless of the past and present, he was promised a rewarding future.

The Stonecutter had begun by hewing a rough stone from the quarry.  From now on the work would progress at a reasonable pace.  Looking at the untrimmed edges of this obscure piece of rock, the Master saw a saint.  The chisel would do its work.

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Romans 3:22

even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Habakkuk 3:19

The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Psalm 138:6

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; but the proud he knows from afar.

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

James 2:5

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

Luke 1:52

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

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