Strong arms strained at the oars as the little craft tossed and reared amidst the sea’s breaking swells. The small band of hardy disciples of our Master had determined to reach the shore at Bethsaida, even as He had bidden them. Three or four miles now lay in their uncertain wake across the waters of the Sea of Galilee.

But, lo! through the spray and darkness of the stormy night a human form approached them — walking on the water!

“‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”

While his companions sat in amazement, then it was that one rose to his feet, clinging to the gunnels, and shouted across the billows, “‘Lord, if it’s you,…tell me to come to you on the water.'”

At the Master’s invitation, he scrambled over the side and dropped onto the swirling waters. Thrilling ever his impulsive confidence, he was borne gently on the crest of each passing wave.  His step was light — yes, and even as he strode toward the Lord whose very figure, relaxed and erect, added faith as it met the fixed gaze of this man…who was walking on water!

But, the roar of the winds! The waves must be breaking higher and faster now!  Yet, he dared not look. As he paused, overcome by a sudden helplessness, he caught sight of the miles of surging water. He was slipping down, down into the chilly waters.

“Lord, save me!” was his cry.

The Savior was by his side and “immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’”

Together, arm in arm, they made their way to the struggling vessel — the Lord of earth and sky and sea, and Simon Peter.

To the fullest, this event typifies the life of the lovable, wholly human and impulsive Peter while Christ was on earth. On the outset one can not be severe in criticizing, for as in this incident, Peter’s faith was instantly sparked, whereas, it is quite probable that fear and doubt still gripped the hearts of those remaining aboard. This same trend of judgment can be applied to the scene of the denials. Excepting that disciple known unto the high priest, where were the other devoted followers of Jesus at that time? Peter had followed, even though afar off.

From their very first meeting it is obvious that the Master loved Peter and sought to cultivate this energetic and highly potential disciple. More than once Peter is brought face to face with his shortcomings, as pointed out by Jesus, but “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” (Proverbs 27:6) This is evidence of the place in the Master’s heart held by Simon Peter, and it gives rise to the tender warning from the Lord quoted in Luke 22:31, 32:

 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  What deep, personal interest are expressed in these words!

Despite the fact that no one could be certain as to what reaction to expect from Peter to any sudden development in his life, (surely, he did not know himself) one thing was certain and that was his repentance for any wrong — as was the case soon after the denial.  Jesus knew there law a heart of pure gold within this bosom which so often heaved under wrongful impulses.

Peter’s reply:  “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death,” (vs. 33) was possessed of more than momentary sincerity.  He was determined to carry out his pledge, as he later proved by drawing his sword and smiting the servant of the high priest when the band came searching for the Lord in the Garden.

Sharp were the pangs of remorse, after he succumbed to the devil’s more subtle strains on his allegiance, by denying the Master thrice — just outside the door where Christ was being interrogated by the Sanhedrin.

In restoring Peter to full fellowship, the Risen Lord asked him — calling him “Simon, son of Jonas” — three times concerning his love and commended him to the task of feeding his “sheep”.

Throughout the book of Acts can be seen Peter’s faithfulness in strengthening the brethren and over-seeing the Master’s flock.  Luke focuses our attention on Peter at the very outset of his writing.  Here we find that Simon has truly become the “rock”:  The arm that once wielded the sword in the Garden now is dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit.  The hand that once clutched helplessly for the Master’s grasp, in the midst of the Galilean Sea, now lifts the lame beggar to his feet, imparting Devine healing.  And, the lips of the man who once “knew not what he was saying” now interprets the gift of the Holy Spirit and the one who denied the Lord accuses an entire generation of denying and crucifying the Son of God.

That this tireless, powerful life ended in martyrdom is certain, (John 21:18, 19) although authorities are not certain as to the type of execution.  Popular tradition holds that he met death by crucifixion — head downward, at his own request.  A.D. 68 is affixed as the likely date.

Even though Peter was given up, near the middle of the book of Acts, as a central figure, and in his place Luke favored the greater Apostle Paul, and despite the fact that John’s Gospel is usually placed above the epistles of Peter, Simon Peter’s preaching of the Gospel lives on in the writings of his spiritual son, John Mark, and surely none could have taken this man’s place in handing down to us a testimony of victory over man’s most tenacious enemy, that of “self”.