SUNDAY August 16, 2026

A Man Called Peter

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ....
1 Peter 1:1

The book of 1 Peter introduces to us none other than the writer himself. This man is called Peter––a burly fisherman who caught fish in the Galilean Sea. He was among the first group of men called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. His brother was Andrew, and on finding the Messiah, he sought out his brother:

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone) (John 1:40-42).

Peter was not the first Pope. Jesus is the Rock on which the Church is founded, and Peter, although mightily used by the Lord, in comparison, was a pebble (Matthew 16:18). Most people do not realize that Peter was married. A short reference about his wife is found in the Gospel of Matthew: Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever (Matthew 8:14).

Again, Peter was among the Twelve Disciples. The word disciple means “learner.” Later, the group became Apostles of Jesus Christ, except Judas who betrayed the Lord. The word apostle means “one who is sent out.”

Think about the interactions between Andrew, Peter and the Messiah. Andrew overheard John the Baptist reveal that Jesus was the Messiah, and ...he brought him [Peter] to Jesus (John 1:42). When Peter and his brother Andrew were first called, what did Jesus tell them? “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). As a Christian, when was the last time you brought someone to Christ? Jesus has called you to be a fisher of men and bring people to Him.

We are not called to proclaim philosophy and metaphysics, but the simple gospel. Man’s fall, his need of a new birth, forgiveness through atonement, and salvation as the result of faith, these are our battle-ax and weapons of war.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!