Author-pastor-teacher John MacArthur wrote a book in 2002 called Twelve Ordinary Men. This was an in-depth character study of each of Jesus’ 12 closest disciples. MacArthur describes Simon Peter as the disciple with the ‘foot-shaped mouth’.

Jesus gave Simon the name ‘Peter’ (meaning Rock) because that is what Jesus wanted him to become, not what he already was. When you read Jesus addressing him as “Simon”, it’s when he was displaying his flesh and failures; when Jesus addressed him as “Peter”, it’s when he was walking in the way that Jesus taught. It’s much like when your parents called you by your first name (and sometimes your middle name, too!) when you were misbehaving, but called you by a beloved nickname when you were acting correctly.

Peter was considered the leader of the twelve, but it took much training, shaping, and maturity for him to get there.

Peter had the raw materials of great leaders: insatiable curiosity (Peter asked Jesus more questions than the other disciples), willingness to take initiative (spoke up to Jesus resulting in a severe rebuke ‘get behind me Satan’), and personal involvement (stepping out of the boat to walk on water).

But Jesus had to refine these raw materials, provide Peter the right life experiences to learn from, and develop his godly character to:

• Learn to submit (example: paying the temple tax)
• Exercise restraint (example: cutting off Malchus’ ear in the garden at Jesus’ arrest)
• Be clothed in humility (example: Peter declaring he would never stumble)
• Walk in love (example: Jesus showing love by washing their feet)
• Show compassion (example: Peter proclaiming he would never deny Jesus)
• Exhibit courage (example: to persevere after Jesus’ death and preach at Pentecost to the very people who had called for the execution of the Messiah)

Jesus transforms each of us in the same way. We were born with innate qualities, but Jesus must train, shape, and mature us; and provide us the Spiritual Journey with the right life experiences to learn from to become who and what we were created to be. So don’t treat life experiences, challenges, and trials as daily frustrations to get through; see them as great and wonderful lessons that elevate us. Be grateful for every opportunity to demonstrate your faith, as Jesus is shaping and maturing you to become everything that He is. Spiritual refinement is necessary to finish the Spiritual Journey to fulfill His purpose in you and your place on the earth. There is absolutely no one else that can take your place or do what He intended just for you.