The apostle Peter was selected by Jesus to be one of His disciples. Even though Jesus had many disciples and only twelve apostles, there was an even smaller group of three individuals to whom Jesus gave special attention. This group consisted of Peter, James and John. From the time Jesus selected Peter, he was constantly with the Lord until His death and resurrection. Peter saw all that Jesus did during His ministry on the earth. Let us look at a few of the things that Peter saw.
Peter went with Jesus up on a high mountain. Matthew 17:1-8 “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.’ When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” Peter saw Jesus transfigured so that his face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. Peter heard the voice of God from the bright cloud.
Peter was in a boat on the sea with the other apostles and without Jesus. Matthew 14:25-33 “Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’” Peter saw Jesus walk on the water and he also walked on the water to go to Jesus.
I do not have enough space to describe all the things that Peter saw and experienced while following Jesus. Peter saw people raised from the dead; he saw many that were sick, blind, deaf, and with evil spirits healed by Jesus. He saw food multiplied to feed a great multitude. He heard all that Jesus taught. He also saw Jesus arrested, tried, and condemned to die. He saw Jesus nailed to a cross. While Jesus was on the cross, he saw that there was darkness over the earth for three hours. When Jesus died, Peter felt the great earthquake. Peter also saw that the tomb of Jesus was empty on the first day of the week. He saw the resurrected Jesus and saw the crucifixion wounds He received. Peter was also with Jesus when He left the earth. Acts 1:9-11 “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Peter saw Jesus ascend into heaven.
After the Kingdom of God came on the day of Pentecost, Peter was one of the chief spokesmen of the church. When Peter and John were arrested by the Sanhedrin Council, Peter was not shy. Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Is it any wonder why Peter was bold in proclaiming the gospel? Peter went on to give his whole life for Jesus. Here is what Peter said in 2 Peter 1:16-18 “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” Peter and the other apostles did not follow cunningly devised fables when they told others about Jesus. Based upon what he had seen and experienced, Peter were thoroughly convinced that he had been with the very Son of God.
On the day that Jesus was resurrected, the apostle Thomas missed seeing Jesus and as a result, he did not believe. John 20:26-29 “And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” You have not seen Jesus. You have not experience the things that Peter experienced. But what we know about Jesus are not cunningly devised fables, but the truth. I encourage you to truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and be His faithful disciple.