1 Peter: Odd Life, Good God Chikamu

Sometimes it can be hard to identify with the characters in the Bible because they seem so flawless and perfect, but that is not the case with Peter. The one believer in the Bible that is perhaps the most imperfect is Peter.  

Peter lived an odd life, which likely makes him the easiest person to identify with in the Bible. Perhaps no one in all of Scripture is as unpredictable and volatile, impulsive and hyper-responsive as Peter the Odd (Matthew 14:28; Mark 14:29; Luke 5:8; John 21:7). His decision making is, at times, reminiscent of an espresso filled junior high kid who has not slept in a few days. If Peter were alive today, it would be a guarantee that cameras would follow him around filming his every word and deed as yet another hit reality television show.  

Peter’s life is a roller coaster. On his worst days, he bossed Jesus around and denied even knowing Him. On his best days, he wrote two books of the Bible and, according to church history, was martyred by crucifixion for refusing to deny Christ. Peter asked his killers to turn his cross upside down because he did not believe he was worthy of dying as Jesus did. It’s an odd life when you go from denying Christ publicly to dying for Christ publicly.  

In Peter, we see a run-of-the-mill, shockingly normal Christian disciple. Someone who really loves Jesus. Someone who really sins. Someone with whom God is really patient as they grow and mature, taking two steps forward then one step back, never near perfect but heading North as a general rule. Religious folks are a bit shocked that Jesus picked Peter as the leader of early Christianity, but for the rest of us who know we are a mess for our Messiah, Peter is the kind of  leader we can relate to. Peter is a Christian like the rest of us. Peter’s imperfections are endearing, and his progress is encouraging. In the life of Peter, we learn that even though life is odd, God is good. God does perfect work through imperfect people. The secret to Peter’s greatness was God’s goodness.

Peter opens his first letter by reminding believers in numerous local churches  scattered across a geographic area that is a bit smaller than California that they belong to God. The Christians are struggling because their new lifestyle causes their non-Christian family, friends, and neighbors to consider them odd, which leads to social strain that makes life hard. Living as the outcast, oddball, and misfit can be discouraging and is the case for faithful Christians in every time and place. To provide hope and encouragement, Peter focuses attention from the painful realities of life to our personal relationship with God. Over our lives, we are told, is a good and powerful God who uses all of life, including the toughest trials, to make us like Jesus. This life is preparation for our eternal life in a Kingdom where we live out our deepest desires and are rewarded forever for faithfulness in this life. 

Reflection:   

1. How is it humbling to know that Peter was often a mess and failed but ultimately was greatly used by God?

2. What does it mean to practically be citizens of the Kingdom of God while we are residents of a nation?  

3. How does knowing that our life only improves after this life ends change our view of struggles, suffering, and sadness in this life?  

4. Where have you become too “at home” in this world?