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Peter, he’s one of the ordinary fisherman chosen by Jesus to be one of his twelve disciples. So far, here’s what we know about Peter – he was daring enough, bold enough, and courageous enough to leave behind a very comfortable early retirement and follow Jesus into the unknown. Now, let’s learn more about this man who Jesus declared was enough for some of his greatest works – and maybe you’ll see that you too are enough for Jesus.

During Jesus’ ministry on earth, he had many followers, but he had these 12 hand selected disciples that he shared life with. They were the ones with the backstage passes to the miracles. And of those 12, Jesus had 3 that he was closest with. Yesterday we learned it’s not only okay to have an inner circle, it’s necessary. Now today, we see by the example of Jesus, it’s okay for there to be different levels of relationship even within that inner circle.

Peter, James and John were Jesus’ closest friends. Sometimes Jesus would set out on a journey, and he would take only those three. There were parts of his personal life only this much smaller circle had access to. Peter was one of them – a true friend of Jesus. Not just a student, not just a disciple, but a friend.

One day Jesus took his 3 best friends up on a high mountain to be alone. And there, they saw Jesus for who he really was. His entire being changed. Matthew 17:2, “As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.” Peter saw the undeniable true presence of God in the Son.

On another day Jesus is being followed by a large crowd when a desperate father named Jairus comes begging for him to heal his dying 12 year old daughter. On the way to Jairus’ home, messengers arrive with the news that the little girl has already died and it’s too late for healing. Jesus continues on to his house, but he only takes his 3 best friends with him. Just Peter, James and John.

When they arrive to the house, everyone is in fits of grief over the young girl’s death. Mark 5: 40-42. “He made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means ‘Little girl, get up!’ And the girl, who was 12 years old, immediately stood up and walked around!”

Peter was standing in the room witnessing the undeniable power of Jesus. He saw it all with his own eyes. There was no denying it. No denying him.

Jesus shows us sometimes you have to be selective about who you allow in the room with you. Some things are meant for a smaller circle. Some moments are so sacred that you must be selective. Not everyone has the faith to enter the spaces you will go next.

Why did Jesus tell everyone else to get out of the room? Because they doubted him. His intentions were to wake this little girl up and give her life again – and in doubt, the crowd of people laughed. Jesus left no room for the distraction of doubters and gawkers. He knew Peter, James and John would bring faith into the room. He knew they would believe in his power to do the impossible.

My mentor once reprimanded me and told me, “Pamela, some things must be kept around a smaller table. Not everything is for public consumption.” And he was right. The world of social media has us putting things on broadcast and leaving nothing sacred for a trusted few. You don’t invite every stranger off the street to come witness the birth of your baby, so why are you sharing the birth of dreams God has put within you to the masses? Their doubt, their negativity, their criticism, their jealousy is dangerous at these stages.

Who are you inviting into the room as miracles unfold? It can’t be everyone. Jesus says to the crowd, “Leave.” And only the three disciples he knew he could trust to bring faith into the room could remain, along with the little girl’s parents.

Jesus trusted Peter. He loved Peter. He saw deep potential in Peter. And he knew there were some things in Peter to still be worked through.

In the highlight reel of Peter’s journey with Jesus is of course that night out on a stormy sea. The legendary water walking incident. Matthew 14 tells the story of the disciples all out on a boat in the Sea of Galilee. This is the same exact water Peter had spent his life fishing on. He knew these waters. He knew boats. And he no doubt knew storms. He had seen all these things before, but one thing he had never seen was someone walking on the water. That was impossible.

But in the middle of the storm, at the darkest part of the night, when the disciples were in trouble, Jesus comes out to them ever so calmly, walking on the water. And Peter is the only one of the twelve to speak up. And here’s what he says, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you walking on the water.”

Lord, TELL ME to do it. Here’s what Peter knew – Peter knew he couldn’t walk on that water just because he wanted to. Peter knew he couldn’t walk on that water because he said he could. Peter knew there was no amount of positive self-talk, self-belief or personal hype that could empower him to walk on the water. But here’s what he knew – He knew if Jesus told him to do it, then he could.

Girl, do you understand if Jesus tells you to do something, he’s going to equip you to actually do it? He’s not going to tell you to do something and then not make a way for you to do it. With his instruction comes special equipping. You may be sitting in a boat staring down waves, never realizing you have been equipped with the ability to walk on top of that. If God is calling you out of that boat, then he will give you some water walking abilities. If he’s not calling you out of the boat, then sit yourself down!

That’s the difference. This isn’t about doing wild and courageous things because you want to. This is about knowing if God calls you to it, he will equip you for it. But Sis, you gotta wait for the calling. Can you look back and see your sinking moments were maybe because you ran out ahead of the calling. You got yourself an idea and you dove in without awaiting Jesus call that said, “Yes, come.”

Wait for his “Yes, come.” Ask him if he wants you to get out of the boat. Ask him if he wants you to walk on that water. Await him to tell you yes.

When Jesus told Peter, “Yes, come”, here’s what happened – Verse 29, “So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”

Yip, he sure did!

Peter just experienced the impossible, and here’s why? He believed he could do anything Jesus called him to – AND – he waited for Jesus to actually call him to it. Then, he stepped out in faith and went with Jesus.

Now you probably know what happened moments after that – right? Peter starts looking at the strong wind and the waves, he gets scared and he starts sinking. Honey, if you’re looking at the wind and the waves, there’s one thing you’re not looking at – you’re not looking at Jesus – that’s when you sink.

If you’re sinking, here’s what you do – You do what Peter did. You call out, “Save me, Lord!” Verse 31 says, “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.”

Wait for Jesus to call you out. When he calls, you go in faith. Keep your eyes on Jesus. When things get scary, keep your eyes on Jesus. You’re not doing this in your power, you’re doing this in his. And if you start sinking, don’t wait until you’re all the way under this time – you call out to Jesus faster. Faster this time. Don’t wait like you did last time. Don’t try to make it back to the boat on your own this time. Don’t try to save yourself this time. Call out to Jesus, and call out fast. He will immediately reach out and grab you!

Oh the lessons we see in the life of Peter. To be called a friend of Jesus, to be trusted to go to the private rooms where faith was required, to be invited into the miraculous and experience his supernatural power.

Again, just an ordinary man. An ordinary man on his way to an epic failure that would create extreme guilt and shame. But ultimately redemption awaited him, and a calling to continue the works of Jesus after the cross. (That’s coming in the next episode.)

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