God's Process of Preparation
The Process of Preparation
Jesus is the foundation of the Christian Church. However, He utilized Peter as the first master builder. Jesus gives us a glimpse of this in Matthew 16:13-18.
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.
See Peter was receiving revelations from God while Jesus was still with them. However that does not mean that Peter was without shortcomings. Jesus also shows us this in this very same passage of Scripture in vs. 21-23
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God,
We all have shortcomings. Peter was not an exception to this. However his shortcoming were all a part of his process of preparation. See God needed to do some work on and in Peter to prepare him to be the master builder. You see preparation take going through some things and getting it wrong but having the willingness to keep trying. If we are honest how many of us would have walked away with our feeling hurts after that type of rebuke. But not Peter he kept pressing on in service to Jesus. Peter had a teachable spirit. He was willing to do some things, experience some things and get some things wrong so that God could make him the master builder. How many of us have the same ability to allow God to take us through some things to perfect us for His use? Let’s take a few minutes to look at more of Peter’s process of preparation. As we take this journey begin to ask God what he is preparing you for. What has your process of preparation been leading you to and are you walking in that thing God has given you.
Matthew 14:25-29
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Now we all know that Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink, but this too was a part of Peter’s process of preparation. Often times when people read this passage of Scripture all that is taken from it is that Peter took his eyes off God and the lesson is remain focused on God. There is more to the lesson then just that one thing. See Peter demonstrated a radical faith that day, in spite of the fact that his faith faltered. Peter was a fisherman. So he knew and understood that the natural properties of water. He knew that water wound not hold his body weight but simply because Jesus said “COME” Peter demonstrated a radical faith because knowing what he knew about water he got out of the boat because he knew Jesus had his back. The other thing that is important to note is that Peter was the only one who asked to come to Jesus. Everyone else on the boat decided to remain in their comfort zone, not willing to risk it all. So I ask what has God brought you to that He is waiting you to step outside the boat and demonstrate radical faith like Peter. What is that thing in the natural that you know is impossible for man, but God has brought you to it anyway. See the word of God tells us in Matthew 19:26 “26 But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.” Peter was in the process of preparation. God had a plan for him. So Peter had to go through missing the mark so that he would understand and have compassion on the children of God as they missed the mark in the building of the church as God had compassion on Peter. Are you walking in that same type of compassion for the shortcomings of those God has placed in your life or are you critical of others? Sometimes as Dr. Vanessa would say we need to practice the SUM principle the Shut Up Ministry. So before speaking harsh words simply ask yourself would God be pleased. That might have just been for me.
As we continue to look at Peter’s process of preparation we look at Luke 22:54-62
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
This Scripture is also seen as a negative aspect of Peter because he denies Jesus 3 times as Jesus told him he would. Again I say that there is more to it. When Jesus was taken by force the disciples and all those who were with Jesus scattered like roaches when a light come on, oh but not Peter. He followed Jesus to the end. When everyone else was too scared to show their faces Peter was there. What has God given you that you are denying?
So I will leave you with these five thing to think about:
Where are you in your process of preparation?
What is your process of preparation leading you to?
What has God given you that requires radical faith and have you stepped out of the boat, if not what are you waiting for?
Are you showing compassion towards other or is it time to practice the SUM principle?
And will you continue to deny God by not walking in what he has given you?
