The Savior Tempers Peter's Misplaced Zeal

Among Christians, the Apostle Peter has a reputation for being rash, impulsive, and blinded to what is right before him. In many ways, the reputation is well-deserved. It seems that he blurts out whatever half-formed thoughts appear in his head. He is the one who will very shortly draw a sword in the Garden of Gethsemane and take a wild swing when he senses physical danger to the Savior. (John 18:10) In some ways, it makes Peter endearing to Christians as well; Peter is a lot like each of us and for the same reasons. We are subject to the same character flaws we see in him and we know it. But even if we recognize a little (or maybe a lot) of ourselves in the apostle, we don't always learn from the Savior's instruction to the apostles. The Savior is constantly teaching Peter, correcting him and sometimes the teaching and correcting is not particularly gentle. (Matt. 16:23) Nevertheless, he is being sanctified by that correction. Our text today is an example of the Savior's gentle correction. He is about to repeat His instruction to His disciples regarding the necessity of His departure, but also the promise of His return and preparatory work for that return. His intent, in part, is to temper the zeal which was often misplaced. Let us learn the lessons they learned. – Pastor Schlegel