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Yellow: Direct Response.
Dark Yellow: Additional Response.
Light Blue: Additional Points.
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (LUK. 5:8).
1. How did Peter react when he miraculously caught many fish?
PEDRO had been working all night and hadn't caught anything. To his surprise, Jesus said to him, “Oar into deep water and cast your nets there so that you can catch fish” (Luke 5:4). Although Pedro doubted that he could catch anything, he did as he asked. They caught so many fish that the nets began to break. Realizing it was a miracle, Peter and those with him were “greatly amazed.” Peter exclaimed, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:6-9). It seems that he did not feel worthy of even standing before Jesus.
2. How does analyzing Peter's example help us?
2 Peter was right: he was “a sinful man.” The Bible indicates that he sometimes said or did things that he later regretted. Do you identify with Pedro? Have you been struggling with a personality defect or bad tendency for some time? In that case, he should not be discouraged. Peter's example can help you. Think about this: God could have kept this apostle's flaws from the Bible, but he wanted them to be recorded to teach us valuable lessons.—2 Tim. 3:16, 17. When we look at the stories about Peter, a man who had weaknesses and feelings like ours, we see that Jehovah does not expect us to be perfect. What he wants is for us to persevere, to continue fighting despite our weaknesses.
3. Why do we need to persevere?
3 Why is it necessary for us to persevere? Because, as the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” Let's take an example. It can take a musician many years to master an instrument. During all that time he may play thousands of notes wrong, but with practice he will improve. Even if he becomes a master, he may occasionally make some mistakes. But that doesn't mean he gives up. He keeps practicing. The same thing happens in our case. Even when we think we have overcome a weakness, we can suffer a relapse. But we continue fighting to improve ourselves. We all say or do things that we later regret. However, if we do not give up, Jehovah will help us continue to improve. (1 Pet. 5:10) Let's examine Peter's example of perseverance. The compassion that Jesus showed him despite his mistakes can motivate us to continue serving Jehovah.
PETER'S STRUGGLES AND BLESSINGS
4. How did Peter describe himself, and how did Jesus reassure him? (Luke 5:5-10).
4 The Scriptures do not say why Peter described himself as “a sinful man” or what sins he was thinking about (read Luke 5:5-10). He may have made some serious mistakes. Jesus noticed that Peter was afraid, perhaps because he lacked self-confidence. But he also knew that Peter could remain faithful. So he kindly told him, “Don't be afraid anymore.” Seeing the trust that Jesus had in him left a deep mark on him. Later, Peter and his brother Andrew left the fishing business to dedicate themselves completely to following the Messiah. Thanks to this decision, they received wonderful blessings (Mark 1:16-18).
ILLUSTRATION
The apostle Peter watches with fear and amazement as his boat begins to sink due to the weight of all the fish in the nets. Jesus listens to Peter carefully as another man tries to hold the nets. How would you react if you had an experience similar to Pedro's? (See paragraph 4).
5. What blessings did Peter receive for overcoming his fears and accepting Jesus' invitation?
5 As a disciple of Christ, Peter had magnificent experiences. He saw Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, and even raise the dead (Matt. 8:14-17; Mark 5:37, 41, 42). He also witnessed a vision of the glory Jesus would have in the Kingdom. That event marked his life (Mark 9: 1-8; 2 Pet. 1: 16-18). That's right, Peter saw things he would never have imagined. How glad he must have been that he had not given in to his negative feelings! He would have missed out on all those blessings.
6. Did Pedro manage to overcome his weaknesses immediately?
6 Despite everything he had seen and heard, Peter had to continue struggling with his weaknesses . Let's look at some examples. When Jesus explained that he would have to suffer and die to fulfill Bible prophecies, Peter rebuked him (Mark 8:31-33). More than once, he and the other apostles argued over who was the greatest (Mark 9:33, 34). The night before Jesus died, Peter, in a fit of rage, cut off a man's ear (John 18:10). And that same night he let himself be carried away by fear and three times denied knowing his friend Jesus (Mark 14: 66-72). He ended up crying bitterly (Matt. 26:75).
7. After being resurrected, what opportunity did Jesus give Peter?
7 Jesus did not give up on Peter, who was so discouraged. After resurrecting, he gave the apostle the opportunity to confirm his love for her. He invited him to humbly shepherd his sheep (John 21:15-17). And Pedro reacted with enthusiasm. That is why he was in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and was one of the first to be anointed with holy spirit.
8. What serious mistake did Peter make in Antioch?
8 Even after being anointed, Peter continued to struggle with his weaknesses. In the year 36, Peter saw an uncircumcised Gentile named Cornelius receive the holy spirit. This was clear proof that “God is not partial” and that people from other nations could be part of the Christian congregation (Acts 10:34, 44, 45). From that moment on, Peter had no problem eating with Gentiles, something he would never have done before (Gal. 2:12). Now, some Christians of Jewish origin thought it was wrong for Gentiles and Jews to eat together. When some who thought this way arrived in Antioch, Peter stopped eating with his Gentile brothers, probably for fear of offending Christians of Jewish origin. Seeing this hypocritical behavior of Peter, the apostle Paul rebuked him in front of everyone (Gal. 2:13, 14). Despite this mistake, Pedro did not give up; he kept going. What helped him?
WHAT HELPED PEDRO TO MOVE FORWARD?
9. According to John 6:68, 69, how did Peter demonstrate his loyalty?
9 Peter was loyal. He didn't let anything make him throw in the towel for good. For example, he demonstrated his loyalty when Jesus said something that his disciples did not understand (read John 6:68, 69). Without even asking a question or waiting for Jesus to clarify the matter, many abandoned him. But not Peter. He said in front of everyone that only Jesus had “words of eternal life.”
10. How did Jesus show that he trusted Peter? (See also the image).
10 Jesus never abandoned Peter. On the last night of his life on Earth, Jesus already knew that Peter and the other apostles would abandon him. Still, he expressed confidence that Peter would recover and remain faithful (Luke 22:31, 32). Jesus understood that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). Therefore, even when Peter denied knowing him, Jesus did not give up on the apostle. After being resurrected, he appeared to Peter, apparently alone (Mark 16:7; Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5). Surely this helped the apostle a lot to overcome discouragement.
ILLUSTRATION
After being resurrected, Jesus comforts Peter. Why are we encouraged that Jesus trusted Peter so much? (See paragraph 10).
11. How did Jesus assure Peter that Jehovah would take care of him?
11 Jesus assured Peter that Jehovah would take care of him. Already resurrected, Jesus made Peter and other apostles benefit again from a miraculous catch (John 21:4-6). Without a doubt, this miracle confirmed to Peter that Jehovah could easily provide for all of his material needs. At this time the apostle may have recalled Jesus’ promise that Jehovah would care for those “seeking first the Kingdom” (Matt. 6:33). Knowing this, Peter prioritized his ministry and not the fishing business. Thus, at Pentecost in the year 33 he gave a very courageous testimony that helped thousands of people accept the good news (Acts 2:14, 37-41). And later he helped many Samaritans and Gentiles to become disciples of Christ (Acts 8:14-17; 10:44-48). It is clear that Peter was a powerful instrument in Jehovah's hands in bringing all types of people into the congregation.
LESSONS FOR US
12. How does Peter's example help us if we have been struggling with the same weakness for some time?
12 Jehovah can also help us not give up. Sometimes this can be very difficult, especially if we have been struggling with the same weakness for a long time. And perhaps our weaknesses seem worse to us than Peter's. But Jehovah can give us the strength to continue (Ps. 94:17-19). Take as an example the case of a brother who, before learning the truth, led a homosexual life for many years. Although he completely abandoned his immoral behavior, he sometimes had bad desires. What helped him not to give up in his fight? “Jehovah strengthens us,” he explains. And he adds: “With the help of the spirit of Jehovah […], I have learned that it is possible to continue […] on the path of truth.” And finally he says: “Jehovah has allowed me to serve him […], and despite my imperfections he continues to strengthen me.”
13. How can we imitate Peter's example? (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; see also image).
13 As we saw, Peter gave in more than once to the fear of man. But he asked Jehovah for help and was able to act courageously . (Read Acts 4:13, 29, 31.) We too can overcome our fears. Let's look at what happened to Horst, a young Witness who lived in Nazi Germany. On several occasions he gave in to pressure at school and said the Heil Hitler salute. Instead of rebuking him, his parents prayed with him and asked Jehovah to give him courage. Thanks to the help of his parents and his reliance on Jehovah, Horst eventually had the strength to stand firm. And later he acknowledged: “Jehovah never abandoned me.”
14. How can pastors lovingly encourage those who are discouraged?
14 Jehovah and Jesus will never give us up for lost. When Peter denied knowing Christ, he found himself faced with a crucial decision in his life. Would he give up? Or would he continue to be a disciple of Christ? Jesus had prayed to Jehovah for Peter so that his faith would not fail. He then told Peter that he had prayed for him and that he was sure that later he would be able to strengthen his brothers (Luke 22:31, 32). How it must have encouraged Peter to remember these words of Jesus! We will also have to make crucial decisions in our lives. At such times, Jehovah may use loving shepherds to give us the encouragement we need to remain faithful.—Eph. 4:8, 11. Paul, who has served as an elder for many years, strives to comfort others. When he sees that a brother is about to give up, he encourages him to remember how Jehovah brought him to the truth. He also assures him that Jehovah will never give him up because he loves him and is loyal. This old man has seen how many discouraged brothers have moved forward with the help of Jehovah.
15. How do Peter's and Horst's experiences show that Matthew 6:33 is always fulfilled?
15 We have seen that Jehovah covered the material needs of Peter and the other apostles. It will do the same for us if we put ministry first in life (Matt. 6:33). After the Second World War, Horst, whom we already talked about, considered being a pioneer. But he was very poor and was not sure that he could support himself financially by serving Jehovah full-time. What did he decide to do? He put Jehovah to the test and devoted the entire week of the circuit overseer's visit to preaching. At the end of the week, he was shocked when the superintendent handed him an envelope with a donation someone had made anonymously. With that money he could pioneer for several months. Horst saw this gift as confirmation that Jehovah would take care of him. And from then on he put the work of the Kingdom first (Mal. 3:10).
ILLUSTRATION
Images in which Horst Henschel as a child and his parents are recreated. 1. Horst timidly raises his right arm while other children raise their right arms high and do the “Heil Hitler” salute. 2. His parents pray with him. 3. A recent photo of Horst Henschel. Horst Henschel began serving full-time on January 1, 1950. Do you think he regretted dedicating his entire life to serving Jehovah? (See paragraphs 13 and 15).
16. Why is Peter's example and letters worth examining?
16 How glad Peter must have been that Jesus did not grant his request “Depart from me, Lord”! Christ continued to prepare Peter to be a faithful apostle and a magnificent example for Christians. The preparation he received contains many valuable lessons for all of us. Peter mentioned some of these lessons and other matters in the two inspired letters he sent to first-century congregations. In the following article we will analyze some of the most important points of those letters and how we can apply them today.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
What weaknesses did Pedro have to overcome?
He knew his past, his mistakes or sins he had committed, this made him feel unworthy.
Maybe he had low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence.
Fear of man and pressure from others, even keeping up appearances.
What helped Pedro not to give up and keep going?
Jesus' salutary words of encouragement and encouragement. Jesus did not give it as a request. Jesus motivated him by telling him that he had expectations placed on him and Peter listened to him.
The expectations he experienced with Christ and everything he heard him say convinced him that he was on the right path, that he had found the truth.
He understood that he was imperfect, and he moved forward despite his imperfection.
What lessons do we learn from Peter's example?
We learn not to demand perfection from ourselves, but neither do we fall into sloppiness.
Also not to expect perfection from others, and to be willing to be patient with ourselves and not give up.
And when we go through crucial moments, doubts, fears, we must remember that to whom we will go, only Jehovah and his son have sayings of eternal life.
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