More Precious Than Gold
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| The Crucifixion of Saint Peter - Luca Giordano - c. 1660 |
The painting above depicts the martyrdom of the apostle Peter. This is a death that is predicted by Jesus in the Gospel according to John. Jesus tells Peter:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21:18-19 ESV)
The belief in the church is that the apostle Peter was martyred in Rome, killed by being crucified while upside down. One of the most beautiful things about an artwork is the experience of emotion it conveys. Look at the fury shown in the men's faces and bodies all about Peter.The figure of Peter in the center of the page stands as a marked contrast, despite the fact that he is the one to die this horrific death. He appears as a serene man despite his being bound. He appears unflinching, almost expectantly relaxed. In the face of the urgency of the scene, there is a marked calm about Peter. This painting is simply remarkable, I encourage you to examine it for a minute or so.
Was Peter truly this calm of a man? What enabled him to face death without fear?
In order to examine what made Peter so calm in intense persecution, we must learn about his past. The gospel according to Matthew tells us of Peter's call:
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20 ESV)
Peter was called from humble beginnings. He was a modest fisherman, and yet would become one of the founding pillars of the church. However, Peter's story is really a transformation story because Peter is infamous for his mistakes! Think about it, Peter often becomes a "punching bag" for jokes because of his vivid failures. He is most remembered for a few less than flattering moments.
1. "Get behind me Satan." - Peter was the one who triumphantly declared that Jesus was the Christ!
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17 ESV)
Peter followed up his big revelation shortly thereafter by receiving one of the sternest rebukes in the entire Bible.
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:21-23 ESV)
2. Cutting off the servant's ear - Peter completely missed the point that Jesus was willingly going to his death.
Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (John 18:2-11 ESV)
Peter embarrassingly draws his sword when Jesus had willingly given himself into the hands of these men!
3. Most infamously, Peter denies Jesus three times!
The third time:
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62 ESV)
Peter's early life as a disciple led to multiple failures and bitter tears. Peter is constantly depicted as making mistakes and missing the point. He is stubborn and foolish and lacking understanding. He is hasty in his judgments and reactionary in his actions. However, that is not the end of the story for Peter.
In the letters that Peter writes to the early church, we see a changed man. Peter has become a wise, calm, controlled, intelligent, and steady in his role as a leader in the early church.
The teaching of Peter in 1 Peter give us a vivid picture of a man who has changed. Peter outlines for Christians how to be confidently submissive to authorities, how to publicly represent the faith, and how to suffer. Peter becomes an assured and amazing example. The once urgent and ignorant man now offers teachings such as these:
Submission to Authority
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (1 Peter 2:13-19 ESV)
Representing the Faith in Public
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:13-16 ESV)
Suffering as a Christian
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (1 Peter 4:12-16 ESV)
The man who was infamous for his failures and shortcomings now encourages believers to be subject to others. The man who cut off an ear in urgency now exhorts believers to honor everyone, including the emperor. The emperor at the time of the letter was Nero, a notorious persecutor of the church. Peter encourages believers to suffer for their faith, yet to treat their persecutors with honor, gentleness, and respect. These teachings show that Peter has undergone a tremendous change.
The once fearful and foolish and cowardly man has become a courageous, resilient, and assured leader in the church. What brought about this great transformation?
Peter himself tells us the hope that changed him:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV)
Peter is a changed man because he saw the resurrected Christ and he knew the implications of the resurrection. These are some of the things that now gave Peter life-changing hope:
Because Peter saw Jesus raised from the dead he is:
- born again to a living hope
- born again to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading
- born again to a faith that is more precious than gold
- born again to a faith that will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Peter knew the implications of Jesus' resurrection. He knew that because Jesus had been raised from the dead, we who believe in him rejoice with inexpressible joy, filled with glory, because we will obtain the salvation of our souls. Peter proclaims that God is guarding our faith with His power! This future hope and expectation of glory to come in Jesus Christ caused Peter's radical change. Peter states that we may be grieved by various trials, but that our hope helps us overcome!
God's great mercy gives us hope. Because God is merciful, we have a chance for a new start. We can be born again to a living hope because Jesus has been raised from the dead. We can have the forgiveness of sins by Christ's death and newness of life because he lives. We can have our lives of despair, frustration, and brokenness transformed to be lives of hope - even in the face of suffering!
This view of God's mercy and new life gave the apostle Peter the hope that allowed him to be persecuted and crucified. He saw his faith in the risen Lord to be hope worth dying for. Would a man who had previously lived in such a cowardly, unbelieving, urgent way suddenly change for no reason? No!
Charles Colson is famous for his role in the Watergate Scandal and his subsequent conversion to Christianity. His life is an example of radical transformation, and he helps us understand how the resurrection fueled Peter's new life:
“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
Peter underwent radical transformation. He became courageous because he knew what he was preaching and teaching and living was the truth! Jesus had risen from the dead, Peter had seen the risen Christ. Peter taught and lived and died with fearlessness because he knew his hope was in heaven.
Peter's teachings and transformed life reveal that he believed what he saw - Jesus rose from the dead. Peter lived in hope that was more precious than gold which allowed him to face persecution, suffering, and even death with calm assurance. This is the other-worldly hope that we have as Christians!
How can you hope in Christ even in the face of suffering and trial?
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