Kefa Pt.2

By Marc Vidito

In our last Bible study, we were introduced to one of the first disciples to be called to leave everything and follow Yeshua, Simon Peter, also known as Kefa- “the Rock”. We looked at that calling and how Peter responded to the call. Here we will look at two more of Peter’s responses to Yeshua and find some interesting parallels; bookends, if you will, to Peter’s journey both as a Talmid and as a cornerstone of the early Messianic community. Once again, we will be reading a lot of Scripture. I encourage you to download the TLV Bible App in order to follow along.

As we get started, what do you know about Peter? How would you describe his personality? Was he methodical or rash?  Was his initial response to Yeshua also one of readiness “in season and out of season”?

Read Matthew 14:22-33.

Describe this scene. How is Peter’s response to Yeshua like the rest of the disciples in the boat?  How is it different?

Peter gets a bad rap for being fearful and beginning to sink when he took note of his circumstances. But, let’s give credit where credit is due. Peter walked on water in faith!

The passage says that when the disciples saw Yeshua walking toward them on the water, they were terrified. However, when Yeshua announced himself, Peter faced that fear and put his own faith to the test. He asked Yeshua that, if it was indeed Yeshua, to call him to come to himself on the water.

Peter shows faith couched in trepidation. His faith begins with a conditional word, “if”.  “IF you are the one I can trust, then call me out of my fear.”

Once the call is issued, Peter takes steps of faith strong enough to defy the laws of nature. He does something extraordinary- he leaves the safety of the world and steps into the safety of the creator of the world.

Soon, however, like the seed that fell among the thorns, the “cares of this world”, namely his circumstances become bigger than his faith, he takes his focus off of the author and finisher of our faith and begins to sink.

Pay attention to this, Peter places conditional faith in Yeshua, comes only when called, then is overcome by the cares of the world (his circumstances) and fails. What happens next, Yeshua comes to him and pulls him out of the consequences of his fear.

After many other trials and tremendous growth, even after tragic failure, Peter and Yeshua have another encounter on the Kineret with a very different outcome.

Read John 21:1-14

How is this encounter similar to the encounter in Matthew?  How is it different?

I love the contrast between the two encounters.  Peter and some of the other disciples are doing what they do best, fishing.  However, in this instance, once Peter (who has very recently denied Yeshua three times before His crucifixion) – once he realizes it is his risen Lord, he does not think, he does not fear, he takes off everything that would hinder him and dives in!  There is no fear.  There is not waiting for a call.  There is no pretense or need for miracles.  There is no consideration for his circumstances.  Peter leaves all behind and rushes towards his Lord!  This time, Yeshua does not need to come to Peter rescuing him from his fear and circumstances.  Peter, without fear, delay, or condition dives in!

If we were fortunate enough to be compared to Peter at all, which Peter would you be?  Would you come with cares and conditions and a faith that cannot endure?  Or would you forget all cares and dive in?

Let us strive to say Hineni and to rush to the Lord!