Peter – Journey to Understanding
In his book Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel, Craig Koester uses John’s own language to express what this gospel is all about: God is “from above,” and people are “from below,” so to our eyes, God’s Word for us is veiled and elusive. Throughout the gospel, however, John employs characters who are encountered by God through Jesus who makes God known. In John’s gospel, Koester goes on to point out, various symbols help the reader to span that chasm between above and below. These symbols may be images such as light and dark, water, bread, a shepherd, or they may be specific characters (Koester, p. 1-4). Peter is one of these symbolic characters who reflects the later Christian community to whom John writes, as well as believers in general (Koester, p. 62)
Peter is probably the best known of Jesus’ disciples. He is also a character in the gospels who is easy to relate to because his words and actions are just so “us.” At times he makes bold statements about Jesus, showing his complete understanding of what it is to follow the one who gives life, who is the light of the world, who is indeed God’s Son active in the world. In other words, at times, he gets it. But then there are other times… Just like us, when his words betray doubt and misunderstanding, showing that at times he seems not to understand Jesus or God or the world at all. And isn’t that one of the most comforting realities of the whole Bible?!!! That the disciple Jesus calls the Rock, upon whom Jesus builds the church, the one who will eventually stand up and proclaim Christ against all dangers, sometimes just doesn’t get it! If Peter who literally followed Jesus around every day, had a front-row seat to his teachings and healings, and was able to simply ask anything on his mind, didn’t always get it, there’s hope for us!
Peter comes to Jesus after hearing of him through his brother:
Peter comes to Jesus after hearing of him through his brother:
41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). (1:41-42)
Unlike the other gospels, Peter knows from the very beginning who Jesus is – the long awaited Messiah sent by God. And a name change! Just like Abraham and Sarah way back in Genesis! (Genesis 17) God set Abraham and Sarah up in the Promised Land. Why wouldn’t Peter want to follow! Jesus may just be the one who God is sending to lift up God’s people again – destroy the yoke around God’s people’s necks, finally once and for all destroy all those who seek to destroy God’s people. Was God finally going to duke it out with the Romans and reestablish God’s people in the Promised Land again? Of course this sounded hopeful and wonderful to Peter.
And Peter gets it – or at least seems to understand Jesus’ role. After feeding 5000, then walking on the water to reach the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, a lengthy discourse follows where Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life” (6:1-59). The disciples, in John’s gospel a larger group than just the 12, however, have a hard time understanding what Jesus is saying, and some simply can’t take it anymore and fall away. Jesus asks those who remain if they too would like to leave:
And Peter gets it – or at least seems to understand Jesus’ role. After feeding 5000, then walking on the water to reach the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, a lengthy discourse follows where Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life” (6:1-59). The disciples, in John’s gospel a larger group than just the 12, however, have a hard time understanding what Jesus is saying, and some simply can’t take it anymore and fall away. Jesus asks those who remain if they too would like to leave:
67So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” 70Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.” 71He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
(For more about Judas, see last week’s study.) Right here we see that Jesus presence draws a divided response. Not everyone will follow Jesus, which foreshadows the opposition that will build throughout the gospel culminating at the cross. But Peter’s words are bold, sure – it’s his big moment! Here is Peter’s confession. In contrast to those who turn away, Peter is living into his newly given name, the Rock. But also notice that one of the most well-known scenes of Jesus and Peter where Jesus foretells his crucifixion and death to which Peter is aghast, prompting Jesus’ words, “Get behind me, Satan,” is not present in John’s gospel. Peter’s moment of uncertainty, of lack of understanding will come later.
John’s portrayal of the Last Supper differs from the other gospels where the emphasis is on the Passover meal. John’s chronology also differs. For John, Jesus’ last meal with his inner circle is not a Passover meal, but occurs the day before Passover. What is critical for John is not the sharing of Jesus’ body and blood, in fact it is never mentioned in John. John’s emphasis is on footwashing – Jesus kneeling down to wash the feet of his followers, taking on a role below even the lowest ranking servant in a household. For John, here we see Jesus in the fullness of who he is – the anointed Son of God, king of creation, “I am,” kneeling in humility at the feet of those he came to serve. For John, this is the true picture of discipleship, the symbolic position of all who will follow Christ. And Peter is aghast. “You will never wash my feet,” he cries out.
John’s portrayal of the Last Supper differs from the other gospels where the emphasis is on the Passover meal. John’s chronology also differs. For John, Jesus’ last meal with his inner circle is not a Passover meal, but occurs the day before Passover. What is critical for John is not the sharing of Jesus’ body and blood, in fact it is never mentioned in John. John’s emphasis is on footwashing – Jesus kneeling down to wash the feet of his followers, taking on a role below even the lowest ranking servant in a household. For John, here we see Jesus in the fullness of who he is – the anointed Son of God, king of creation, “I am,” kneeling in humility at the feet of those he came to serve. For John, this is the true picture of discipleship, the symbolic position of all who will follow Christ. And Peter is aghast. “You will never wash my feet,” he cries out.
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (13:1-16)
Here we see Peter’s certainty and bravado begin to crumble. Jesus spends all of chapters 13 through 17 interpreting for the disciples who he is, why he was sent by God, and what is about to happen. It seems that Peter wasn’t completely paying attention! Or was he? How could Peter or any of Jesus’ followers get it? It’s easy for us to say that we would never fall away, that we would follow Jesus to the cross and beyond, but we know how the story is going to turn out. We know the reality of resurrection. We know that death is not the final word for Jesus or for us. But the disciples don’t have that concrete knowledge. Of course they’re afraid! Of course they can’t begin to understand how God is at work in Jesus! They are looking for glory and victory and wonder and more elaborate signs, not betrayal and suffering and pain and death. And if the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers came for Jesus, doesn’t it make sense that they would come for his followers as well. They are fearing for their lives. And in the face of such fear, are no longer able to follow – or trust or believe.
Now we enter Christ’s Passion where Peter cannot seem to get his head around the fact that Jesus truly must suffer and die. It seems that Peter completely falls away, culminating in the fact that the only male disciple at the foot of the cross is the unnamed Beloved Disciple (stay tuned for week 5!), and not Peter. Poor Peter. Peter’s story figures prominently in chapters 18-19 of John. In fact, Peter’s story intermingles with Jesus’ story in a series of contrasting images.
After supper Judas brings his band of thugs – actually an entire cohort (NRSV “detachment,” 18:3) of soldiers, about 600 in all, along with police from the Jewish leadership! This is a huge crowd with torches and pitchforks ready to do battle! In the midst of the chaos, however, Jesus appears to be the picture of peace and calm confidence. Peter seems to be caught up in the craziness, brandishing a sword and ready to do battle, even cutting off the ear of the slave of the high priest! Now wait a minute! Here Jesus is standing up to the strongest adversaries, while Peter goes after one of the most unimportant people there! Contrast number 1! And the contrast between Jesus and Peter will just continue to tumble out.
Now we enter Christ’s Passion where Peter cannot seem to get his head around the fact that Jesus truly must suffer and die. It seems that Peter completely falls away, culminating in the fact that the only male disciple at the foot of the cross is the unnamed Beloved Disciple (stay tuned for week 5!), and not Peter. Poor Peter. Peter’s story figures prominently in chapters 18-19 of John. In fact, Peter’s story intermingles with Jesus’ story in a series of contrasting images.
After supper Judas brings his band of thugs – actually an entire cohort (NRSV “detachment,” 18:3) of soldiers, about 600 in all, along with police from the Jewish leadership! This is a huge crowd with torches and pitchforks ready to do battle! In the midst of the chaos, however, Jesus appears to be the picture of peace and calm confidence. Peter seems to be caught up in the craziness, brandishing a sword and ready to do battle, even cutting off the ear of the slave of the high priest! Now wait a minute! Here Jesus is standing up to the strongest adversaries, while Peter goes after one of the most unimportant people there! Contrast number 1! And the contrast between Jesus and Peter will just continue to tumble out.
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Jesus is bound and taken to the courtyard of the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus goes inside while Peter is forced to remain outside. Jesus is questioned by the most important figure in the Jewish faith and remains calm and confident. Peter, outside, is questioned by a woman who in that world is not seen to have any authority, and denies ever knowing Jesus. Peter is hanging out by a charcoal fire that gives off heat but no light while the Light of the World is inside. Again, Peter is questioned outside by a few
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unimportant passersby and then by a slave, another character of low importance in that culture, and again Peter denies Jesus – at the same time Jesus is being handed over to Pilate, the governor, the most important Roman leader of that geographical area. At Peter’s 3rd denial, the cock crows, and Peter seems to fade into the darkness of the night, much as Nicodemus (chapter 3 – see Week 1). We don’t hear about Peter again until Easter morning. He is conspicuously absent at the cross. While Jesus suffers what is arguably the most painful, torturous death known, Peter is nowhere to be found.
But wait.
Where would you be? That seems to be the question John is asking. If he writes his gospel to try to bridge the gap between understanding Jesus “from above” and “from below,” we fall somewhere on that spectrum. Seen from below, as Peter seems to view Jesus at this point, all is lost. The hope of God’s Messiah is being put to death on a cross, cutting off the future. Isn’t this the reality we all face as we stand at the edge of an open grave with tears in our eyes, weeping for our loss? This is reality! This is death! Peter doesn’t yet understand that death is destroyed in resurrection. And we too have our moments when resurrection is overshadowed by grief, loss, pain and hopelessness. Peter is us! We are Peter when we doubt, when we feel we can’t go on, when we question where God is. Peter embodies the psalmist who cries out,
But wait.
Where would you be? That seems to be the question John is asking. If he writes his gospel to try to bridge the gap between understanding Jesus “from above” and “from below,” we fall somewhere on that spectrum. Seen from below, as Peter seems to view Jesus at this point, all is lost. The hope of God’s Messiah is being put to death on a cross, cutting off the future. Isn’t this the reality we all face as we stand at the edge of an open grave with tears in our eyes, weeping for our loss? This is reality! This is death! Peter doesn’t yet understand that death is destroyed in resurrection. And we too have our moments when resurrection is overshadowed by grief, loss, pain and hopelessness. Peter is us! We are Peter when we doubt, when we feel we can’t go on, when we question where God is. Peter embodies the psalmist who cries out,
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. (Psalm 22)
Peter’s story doesn’t end on Friday. On Sunday morning, upon hearing the news from Mary Magdalene (coming up in Week 4) that Jesus is risen, he still can’t get his head around what is happening. He runs to the tomb with the Beloved Disciple, and even looking into the tomb, he sees, but can’t quite wrap his head around what has just happened. John contrasts the Beloved Disciple and Peter in their actions at the tomb.
3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their homes. (20:3-10)
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We’ll hear more about the Beloved Disciple in Week 5, but in this scene, he definitely outdoes Peter in just about everything! He runs faster, he seems to get what’s happening before Peter does, he believes while John tells us nothing about Peter’s belief. We can’t see the contrast in English quite as obviously, but it is very clear in the Greek. It’s all about the verb, saw. In the NRSV, in English, the verb saw is used interchangeably. But in Greek, 2 separate verbs are used to
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designate 2 different levels of understanding. In verse 5 Peter saw the linen wrappings, which in Greek is the verb theoreo which denotes observed or noticed, conveying no deeper understanding. In contrast, the Beloved Disciple in verse 8 went into the tomb and saw, in Greek eiden, which carries with it a sense of understanding, as when the lightbulb goes off for us and we exclaim, “Oh, I see now!” The Beloved Disciple believes. In other words, for John it’s not “seeing is believing,” but “believing is seeing.” And that is John’s purpose for writing his gospel which he states in 20:30-31:
30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
So what did Peter do next? He just received the most wonderful, spectacular, amazing, hope-filled news possible! All is not lost! Jesus lives! God is doing something completely and utterly new and magnificent! What did he do???? He went home, along with the other disciples. Back to their former lives. Back to what was familiar and safe and secure. It had been a good 3 years, but now it was time to get back to their real lives. But it seems Jesus’ inner circle still stuck together.
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Easter evening, they were all together, locked away. All the doors and windows were shut – they were sitting around in the dark – another of John’s contrasts between light and dark! And all of a sudden, the light broke into their gathering. Jesus was with them! What follows is the wonderful story about Thomas and his refusal to believe. But Peter isn’t much better at first. He sees Jesus, but a week later, he is still locked away in the darkness when Jesus has to come a second time almost as if to say, “Guys! Why are you still hanging out here?!”
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Even knowing the resurrection hope and joy, Peter stays locked away in the dark. And don’t we find ourselves there as well? Resurrection, as wonderful and glorious and hope-filled as it is, still sometimes eludes us. It is sometimes hard to get our heads around. We too bounce between hope and joy and doubt and sorrow. And thank God Jesus gets that! Thank God Jesus comes to Peter and to us again and again, showing us life and abundance and love!
Peter is us. As we faithfully and confidently step up, and as we fearfully and doubtfully fail. And Jesus claims us as we are. Alleluia! (whispered, because it is Lent, after all…)
Peter is us. As we faithfully and confidently step up, and as we fearfully and doubtfully fail. And Jesus claims us as we are. Alleluia! (whispered, because it is Lent, after all…)
