PETER

meditation by Alan Jameson

Prayer -

God you may call us to new lands, new experiences on our journey. Thank you that you go before us, that you provide for us, that your love surrounds us. Wherever we go, you are with us; may we honour you wherever we are.  Amen

Reading - Matthew 26:69-75

‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’. [Matt16:16]. This confession by Peter appears in each of the Synoptic gospels. Peter is known for a variety of incidents in addition to this one. He was a Galilean fisherman called by Christ to be a disciple. His name always seems to appear first in any list of the disciples, perhaps because of his lively personality. He was always to the fore in notable events/incidents with Jesus – he seemed to take the role of spokesman, was present at the Transfiguration, followed Jesus to the courtyard of the High Priest’s house, where Jesus was being tried, and, when questioned, denied knowing Jesus, even though only shortly before he had been adamant he would always stand by Jesus.

Despite a number of shortcomings, Jesus declared ‘Peter, Cephas, the rock on which I will build my Church’ and immediately after Jesus’s Resurrection, on the day of Pentecost, preached to the crowds in Jerusalem, adding some three thousand converts to the Church.  He fulfilled the role of leader of the Church and did missionary work around Palestine. Peter urged his fellow workers to admit Gentiles into the Church. He provided much of the eye-witness material for Mark’s gospel and was probably martyred in Rome. Never afraid to speak his mind and speak out for Christ and his Church, no matter what the opposition. A truly great leader and example, not only to those of his day but to people down the centuries and to us today.

I am sure each of us can think of a person or people whom we have taken as a fine example of Christian life, yet we always must remember that Christ is the only true example to aim to be like.

Hymn - Who would true valour see

1. Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather;
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.

2. Whoso beset him round
With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is,
No lion can him fright;
He’ll with a giant fight;
But he will have a right
To be a pilgrim.

3. Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit;
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit,
Then fancies fly away,
He’ll fear not what men say;
He’ll labour night and day
To be a pilgrim.

Poem - ‘I know not why God’s wondrous grace’  by  Daniel Webster Whittle (1840-1901)                         

I know not why God's wondrous grace

to me he has made known,
nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.

I know not how this saving faith
to me he did impart,
nor how believing in his Word
wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing men of sin,
revealing Jesus through the Word,
creating faith in him.

I know not when my Lord may come,
at night or noonday fair,
nor if I'll walk the vale with him,
or meet him in the air.

But "I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day."

Prayer:       

Go – wherever God may call you – take courage and be strong. Be aware of the everlasting arms, ready to support you, to catch you, even to carry you when things get tough. Go, in the power of the Spirit. Amen.