PART 2 JESUS HELPS US UNDERSTAND GOD’S PLAN (Peter’s Example)

In Part 1 of the previous post, Peter’s human understanding of God’s plan was limited.  He failed, but God in his grace and mercy continued to reach out to Peter. God’s persistent love won him.  Peter grew in knowledge and experience with God to become a powerhouse of faith.  If you haven’t read Part 1 [WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S WAYS, Human thinking and the example of Peter],  I suggest you go back and start there. 

JESUS EXPLAINS THE SCRIPTURES

On the day of resurrection, Jesus walks with two confused disciples on the way to Emmaus.  Jesus, unknown to the disciples at first, walks with them and talks with them and explains the Scriptures so they will understand Jesus is really alive!

Luke 24:25-27 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

With burning hearts and energized confidence in the risen Lord, Cleopas and the other disciple quickly returned to Jerusalem, about seven miles.  They excitedly told the disciples of their encounter with Jesus when he suddenly appears in their midst.  Here again, Jesus helps his perplexed disciples understand.

JESUS COMES WITH PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING

                                             Photo from Eastern Lightning

Luke 24:36-49 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  ³⁷ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Jesus had told them several times before he died that this would happen.  Their human understanding couldn’t comprehend it. That’s why Jesus stepped in – to make things clear, understood, and to bring peace.

The disciples didn’t understand Jesus washing their feet at the Last Supper. 

Jesus said to his disciples, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7).

At that same meal together Jesus tells them of his betrayer Judas, giving his true followers foreknowledge that would help them understand the truth of Jesus.  

Jesus said, “I am telling you now before it happens so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.” (John 13:19). 

JESUS WAS HELPING HIS DISCIPLES UNDERSTAND AND NOT BE AFRAID. 

Notice the great care of Jesus to his disciples.  In their confusion, amazement, doubt and fear Jesus comes to give them peace, joy, and understanding.  Before returning to heaven Jesus gently led them to know the truth and give them assurance.  Isn’t that just like Jesus!  The events they walked through with Jesus – the miracles, healings, demons cast out, the cross and resurrection – now began to make sense as Jesus opened their minds to understand (and shared those God secrets).

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.’

THE PROMISED  HOLY SPIRIT AS  HELPER

Jesus would not leave them alone. He promised the Holy Spirit would be in them and empower their lives. They were to wait for what the Father would send – the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. 

^49″ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Only after Jesus showed himself to his disciples and opened their minds to understand God’s plan through the scriptures did Jesus go back to heaven.  Now the disciples were confident in understanding.  At the ascension of Jesus, with great confidence and joy, the disciples understood! 

 ⁵² Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.⁵³ And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

These disciples had a unique and wonderful experience with Jesus.  They walked with him, talked with him, saw the miracles, and observed his death and resurrection!  We don’t have that opportunity physically, but we do have the words in the pages of Scripture – God’s Holy Words to us. We have the Holy Spirit within, equipping and teaching us. Through the Scriptures, we learn to understand more of God, his character, his nature, his miracles, his love for us.  As Peter said, we can add to our faith the knowledge of God and gain understanding.

“SLOW TO BELIEVE” DESCRIBES OUR HUMAN THINKING

That’s the words Jesus used with Cleopas on the road to Emmaus – “how slow you are to believe all the prophets have spoken.” That’s our human way of thinking. But then he opens their understanding from the Scriptures!   (Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself Luke 24:25, 27).

PETER’S GROWTH AND EXPERIENCE

Peter returned to his fishing business after denying Jesus.  After the resurrection, Jesus calls him to have breakfast and reinstates and commissions him into Kingdom work.  Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him and three times Peter declares he does. Forgiven and set free to go to Kingdom work again, Peter forsakes all and follows.

• At Pentecost, as Peter and 120 other disciples were filled with the new power of the Holy Spirit. Peter preaches to the crowds and 3000 people repent and turn to God.  The power of the Holy Spirit got ahold of Peter’s heart and mind.  Although he failed to understand the plan of God through Jesus, he was gaining understanding.  He experienced the Father’s tender care and the Holy Spirit’s filling with power. 
• Peter was imprisoned by King Herod for preaching the gospel but delivered by an angel.
• Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, healed the lame man (Acts 3:7).
• Peter walks on water stretching his growing faith in Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33)
• The sick and afflicted with unclean spirits were healed (Acts 5:15-16)
• He uncovered the deception of Ananias and his wife. They fell down and breathed their last (Acts 5:5, 10). 
• Peter told Aeneas to get up and make your bed because Jesus Christ heals you (Acts 9:34).
• Peter calls Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:40).

A GOD SECRET FOR PETER
Peter has a vision from God to take the gospel to the house of Cornelius, a God-seeker. Peter saw a vision of animals and birds come down from heaven in a sheet.  God said to kill and eat.  Peter refused because they were unclean or impure. This happened three times until Peter began to understand the animals represented the people who weren’t Jews (considered unclean), the Gentiles.  With that revelation (“I now realize”), Peter obeys God and takes the message of redemption to the house of Cornelius.

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right (Acts 10:34).

Peter’s knowledge and understanding continue through this lifetime.  He is one of the authors of two New Testament books by his name.

1 PETER,  2 PETER – KNOWLEDGE

Peter wrote two New Testament books before his martyrdom around AD 66-68.  In the first book, Peter focused on encouragement through persecution.  He emphasized the call to holiness. 

Second Peter addressed false teachers among the churches in Asia Minor.  More than a dozen times in three chapters Peter emphasizes the importance of getting knowledge.  Knowledge (gnōsis) is more than an accumulation of facts.  Knowledge speaks of knowing someone intimately.  It carries with it much of the intent of the Old Testament Hebrew word “to know” (yada) as Adam “knew” Eve his wife,  implying a very personal and intimate relationship.  The knowledge of God that Peter is pressing his readers to attain has an outcome of spiritual maturity and depth of relationship with God.  

Peter was martyred for his faith.  Deep confidence and understanding transformed Peter’s life from weak human thinking to a mighty man of spiritual power and understanding.  

CONCLUSION

Peter gives us great encouragement in our quest of knowledge and understanding of God’s ways. We, too, can conquer limited human thinking as we grow in faith and knowledge of God.  Our knowledge deepens as we live in the Word, hear the secrets revealed, and gain spiritual understanding. 

For this very reason,

make every effort to  add to your faith goodness;

and to goodness, knowledge;

6 and to knowledge, self-control;

 and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to

mutual affection, love. For if you

possess these qualities in increasing measure,

they will keep you from

being ineffective and unproductive

in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV

Peter’s final verse in 2 Peter chapter 3 sums up his entire writing: 

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (3:18).

PRAYING FOR YOU

If you are in a place of not understanding what God is doing or not doing, we’ve all been there.  It’s hard to understand in the middle of a trial.  We all have doubts. Remember that the disciples who actually walked with Jesus experienced similar doubts. Don’t give up.  Continue in the Word.  Read it, pray over it, and believe the promises.  Get it in your head and heart!  Trust God’s timing to bring about the right answers.  Remember growing is a process of time and experience and trust in the One who has a perfect plan for your life!   I’m praying for you today!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;  I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8 NIV

NEXT STEP

Read through 1 and 2^nd Peter – only eight chapter. 

Note the many times Peter refers to “knowing” and “knowledge” of God (getting to know God intimately).  

What one thing will you do today to grow in the knowledge of God?

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (ESV) Proverbs 18:15