Seeking Knowledge & Wisdom
Faith comes by hearing and understanding God’s words. We are encouraged that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). But I really want to talk about someone whom I always regard as a good seeker of knowledge and wisdom. Among the twelve disciples of our Lord Jesus I have chosen Simon Peter because of his activities during his life with Jesus until Jesus’ ascent into heaven.
When Jesus started his ministry he called his disciples to follow him. The first disciples he called were Simon and his brother Andrew, while they were casting their net into the sea of Galilee. When Jesus saw them he said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Simon Peter later had his name changed to Peter. Peter willingly followed Jesus without worrying about his nets left in the sea. He heartily wanted to hear the good news of salvation, and left not only his nets, but his family and all his household to seek knowledge. Peter put his heart into following Jesus at all times. Whenever Jesus asked how the disciples responded to his teaching, Peter was the first to answer. Peter was the first to ask questions. Jesus loved Peter, for Peter was not shy or fearful.
On one occasion, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said to him, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah and others that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then when he asked them again, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter was the first to answer him that he was the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Luke 9:18-20; Matt 16:13-20). Truly, Peter, for his effort to seek knowledge, was accepted by the heavenly Father to be faithful.
On another occasions, Peter would not keep silent but asked, “Rabbi, what is the meaning of your saying?” and Jesus was happy to answer him and teach him the word of God. Peter’s mind was no longer set on his family and his nets because his mind was touched by the good news of the kingdom of God. Peter’s trust in Jesus continued to grow and he became the recognized spokesman for his fellow disciples.
Once when Jesus walked on the sea Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. But his faith lessened, when he saw the wind and waves, and he began to sink and he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and took hold of him. The Lord said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt 14:22-23). But notice that it was Peter who had sufficient faith to walk on the water to his Lord. Truly, whenever we trust in the Lord, He will help. Do things in confidence and faith in the Lord; say, ‘The Lord will help me’ because, of course, he does – so do not let us doubt him.
In my mind I always view Peter as a steadfast man of courage. I sometimes ask myself if I can match even a quarter of his faith. Nevertheless, only the Lord Jesus himself knows what he chooses for me.
On another occasion when Jesus taught the word of eternal life, many disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “Do you want to go away as well?” Peter was the first to answer him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life and we have believed and have come to know that you are the holy one of God” (John 6:60-71). We can see that, by this answer, Peter was troubled in his mind, but when there was the choice of earthly life and eternal life, he certainly chose eternal life. Peter was not a clever disciple, but he loved Jesus and Jesus loved him.
On the day of the betrayal of Jesus, Peter wanted to die with him but his initial willingness was not part of God’s plan. Jesus replied, “Peter, you will deny me three times before the cock crows”. But Peter made an effort to defend his Master, and drawing his sword, he struck at the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear (the servant’s name was Malchus). On this occasion, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (John 18:10-11).
Peter tried to follow Jesus when he entered the court of the high priest. As he stood outside the door, a servant girl who kept watch at the door said to him, “You also are one of this man’s disciples,?” Another later said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” This was Peter’s final denial, and at once a rooster crowed. When Jesus gazed at him, he remembered the saying of his Lord, and went out and wept bitterly. Poor Peter had tried to die with the Lord, but had temporarily lost his faith when temptation entered into him. He was afterwards troubled in heart and repented. This was truly a very hard temptation for a person born with human nature to overcome. He was now actually afraid of losing his life for his Lord.
Likewise, on the day of transfiguration. It was Peter who spoke to his Master: “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”, not knowing what he was saying (Luke 8:28-36). There were so many events involving Jesus and Peter during the ministry of Jesus, whereby Peter gained his knowledge and faith.
At the time of the resurrection of Jesus, when the women went to the tomb and found that Jesus was raised, they went to his disciples, telling them that he had risen. Peter was the first to run past the other disciple to the tomb.
After Jesus’ ascent into heaven, Peter was blessed with the task of encouraging all the believers, he was given a talent for preaching the good news of the gospel of the Kingdom of God on earth.
When Jesus said farewell to Peter, he said to him, “Simon son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” Peter said to him “Yes, Lord: you know that I love you.” The Lord said to him, “Feed my lambs”. The Lord asked him a second time the same question, and Peter answered him with the same words. And a third time, he asked him the same question. Peter was very grieved. I hope that later in his life, he looked back to the time when he denied his Master three times; finally he said to his Lord, “Lord you know everything. You know that I love you”. Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-19). At this time Peter became free and happy in his heart.
As I said earlier, in my own mind I call him a good disciple, a man who sought truth, knowledge, faith, love and wisdom. From the beginning of the Lord’s three year ministry we find Peter as the spokesman for his fellow disciples and all believers. We can see Peter’s permanent faith through all the rest of his life until his death.
In Acts we find him working hard preaching and healing the sick. On one occasion Paul had to oppose Peter, but this was an isolated incident, Peter did not worry about it and he carried on with the Lord’s work. In his two letters to the believers he provided food for the spirit with much encouragement: he was brave and steadfast. I wonder how many of us are following Peter’s works in faith? Let us pray hard to seek knowledge and faith through our Lord Jesus Christ. He will help us to be strengthened in the right path as we make our journey towards the Kingdom of God on earth. I beg you to pray for me, as I meet some temptations in different ways. The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you all.
Bro Maxwell Mlakah (Ruwa, Zimbabwe)
