Peter's Journey with Jesus

i am Peter ya 

[peter4ever]

My Feelings and Thoughts as PETER

Woah, what a long journey that I went through!! Oh well, He won't be there anymore 24/7 teaching us, healing people, talking to us physically. But he is still teaching us, healing us/people, talking to us mentally and spiritually. God will always guide us and help us. But sometimes, that path is opened, but it is you who decides you whether to go on it or not.

How do I feel? I feel awesome to be honest, I feel like I was destined to meet Jesus by the seashore, destined to follow him everywhere despite needing to leave your old life behind, destined to witness his healings and teachings, destined to have this Last Supper with Him. Our great Jesus that was hanged on the cross, his hands being nailed on the cross, suffering because of us human sins. Miraculously, after three days, He was RAISED FROM THE DEAD. For with God, everything is possible.

Through this journey, I learned that FAITH, consists of trust, confidence, strong belief - based on spiritual conviction rather than proof. Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; It is the evidence of things we cannot see. But Jesus, can see our faith, he feels it, he knows how much faith and trust you put in Him. Faith, faith. Sometimes, it's okay if we lose some faith, because we are human. It's normal. Even on a daily basis, on different situation, we still lose faith. But Lord, what we can do is that we pray, we pray that you help us overcome this unbelief into belief. Mark 9:24, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Amen.

From the calling till the Last Supper, I truly enjoyed every second with Jesus. Even I, Peter continued to make mistakes time and again, but Jesus, as is His nature, forgives me and loved me wholeheartedly and continued to use me in His kingdom’s work. I had a close-knit relationship with Jesus. He took me, guided me, even though I was an uneducated, sinful man. Seeing this, it gives me assurance that He also does this to us as well. Jesus loves and care for me and you.

He saved me from 'little trust'. Matthew 14:31, Jesus walked on water, so I tried! Because I believed him and so I got down the boat. I saw the wind blow and got a little scared, Jesus then reached out his hand and caught me, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?". My 'little faith', only grew more and more. When Jesus got arrested, I disowned him three times, Jesus had already knew, He knew from the start, He knew me from the womb, He knew how many strands of hair do I have. But he still approached me anyway, although I sinned against Him. After Jesus had entered Heaven, I was forgiven and had my faith restored once again. I eventually became the spokesman for the apostles despite being unschooled. I spoke with boldness and trust to crowds of thousands, bringing them the Word of God and today what we called Christianity. I performed God's work for thirty years, performed miracles and brought the dead back to life, traveled the world and share the Word, showed my maturity development living a Spirit-led life while being guide by our great God in heaven.

(556 words)

[peter4ever]

The Last Supper

Finally, the day of Unleavened Bread which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed arrived. Jesus said to me and John to go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover. We had no idea where to hold the Passover so we asked Jesus where to prepare for it.

Jesus replied,   He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he goes in, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will bring you to a fully furnished room, and have preparations ready there". We quickly left and went to find and buy things that Jesus had told us to, then we prepared the Passover.

When the evening came, all twelve of us gathered together at the table and ate our delicious meal. While eating, Jesus said to us,  “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Suffering??? What did He mean by that?... Right.... Jesus would be crucified and Priests would come find him and arrest him.

He continued his sentence,  "For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” We silently ate, until he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” All of us really did not expect that because we were eating happily and suddenly that striked us. We looked at each other sadly and distressed, asking Jesus,  “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”.

The one that betrayed Jesus is Judas Iscariot, he was bribed by Priests that would give him thirty pieces of silver. That sure is tempting, but nothing compares to betraying Jesus because of money. And in return that Judas tells them where Jesus is, as that night was the night that Jesus would be taken away and tortured by those priest. Jesus responded, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Judas definitely did not feel anything when he accepted that ridiculous bribe, because he thought that money was more important than Jesus.

Jesus then answered, “You have said so.”

Then, he took the bread, gave thanks and broke it to pieces, he then gave it to us, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

After this, Jesus took a cup, and blessed it, and gave it to us saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” All of us began to question ourselves and which of them it might be to even betray THE Messiah that they once chose to follow?

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Suddenly, I was queued, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

What is he saying?? Satan?? I answered him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and stay by your side till death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

I was stunned, I would honestly hate myself so much if I actually did that (which I did.).

Finally, we sang a hymn, and went up to the Mountain of Olives.

That night was the last night we were together with Jesus physically. He's the best, I miss him a lot. However, God is always in our hearts and around us, we just got to really hear Him closely. I don't think I would ever think of people betraying Jesus, but I guess humans stay the same way as they are.

(901 words)

Matthew 26:17-30 and Mark 14:12-26 and Luke 22:7-30 (NIV)

[peter4ever]

3rd Miracle ! [Healing of a man born blind]

While walking with Jesus, we met a blind man that was blind from birth. We asked Jesus if it was the man's sin or the parent's sin that caused him to be born blind. Jesus told us that it was not because of his sins nor the parent's. It was an act to show the power of God and whenever we see someone or something that needs to be helped/done, we must do it.

Jesus then spit on the ground, added mud with his saliva and spread it all over the blind man's eye. He then told him to go to the pool of Siloam and wash his eyes there, he came back SEEING. His eyesight EYESIGHT ok Eyesight was back ????!!!! woah.

The neighbors of the blind and those that had seen him formerly begging asked, "Isn't he the man that was blind and used to sit here begging?" The man that was healed responded himself, "I am the man". They asked him how did his eyes opened and he replied that this man named Jesus told him to go wash in the pool in Siloam.

But, this miracle happened on a SABBATH (No one could work, cook, and have limited footsteps when you walk, it was a very strict thing). The Pharisees were so concerned about the fact that Jesus worked on a Sabbath and couldn't care less about a born-blinded man and now his own eyesight is back. The Pharisees discussed and discussed, saying that Jesus could not be from God because he worked on a Sabbath, but some disagreed. They questioned the man, but were not satisfied enough so they called his parents in to confirm his story. The parents said "He was indeed blind since born, but why are you guys asking us? He is a grown man and could speak for himself. He's blind, not mute."

They even called the man in again the second time to make sure that Jesus was a sinner, but the man responded with the same response and argued back rationally that if Jesus was not from God, how could he perform this miracle? He also said, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

And then they asked him again, "What did he do to you?" "How did he open your eyes?"

"I've told you many times and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear again? Do you want to become his disciples too?" Said the man.

The Pharisees felt insulted and said to him, "We are disciples of Moses! We know God spoke to Moses but for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from!"

The man replied “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

They felt offended and threw him out. Jesus called them spiritually blind.

In my opinion, yes, God listens to the people that listens to him, He listens to the ones that repented trusts in Him.

(554 words)

John 9: 1-34 (NIV)

[peter4ever]

2nd Miracle [Jesus raised a Dead Girl & Heals a Sick Woman]

When Jesus reached the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a huge crowd gathered together to wait for him. One of the leaders of the synagogue (Jewish house of prayer, where Jewish people meet to pray and to worship God), named Jairus, came begging Jesus to heal his only daughter who was dying. She was only 12 years old.

Jesus went with him and the whole crowd followed along to see what's going on. There was a women in the crowd who had suffered 12 years with constant bleeding. She had seen many different doctors but none of them had helped her gotten better from the bleeding. In fact, she had gotten worse. She was counted as unclean because of the bleeding and had to stay away from the society for 12 years. 12 YEARS. Woah.. At that moment, she heard about Jesus and used all her strength to go through the crowd, pushing her way through behind Him to try and reach Jesus. She thought that, maybe if she could just touch his robe, she'll be healed. She quickly went through and touched his robe.

IMMEDIATELY, the bleeding has STOPPED and she knew that she had been healed.

A woman, bleeding for 12 years, touched Jesus' robe, HEALED!

Jesus realized at once and felt that his power had gone out of him, he pauses and asked "Who touched my robe?" I answered him and asked him to look at the crowd around him, how can he asked such a question 'who touched me?'.

But he waited eventually, just like how he always has, waiting patiently for us to repent, and He will forgive. In the end, that woman came forward and admitted it was her. The whole crowd heard her story. Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your FAITH has made you well. Go in peace, your suffering is over." Literal chills.

While Jesus was speaking to her, a messenger came from Jairus' house to tell Jesus that the little girl has already died and Jesus did not have to do anything anymore. However, Jesus went anyway. He told Jairus, "Do not be afraid. Just have FAITH." Jesus went in with Jairus, James, John and me only. We heard so much weeping and wailing at Jairus' house. Then, Jesus asked, "Why all this weeping and wailing? The child is asleep, not dead." The crowd there laughed at him, but Jesus made them all get out, leaving only the 4 of us here. We entered the girl's room, AND AT THIS MOMENT, Jesus took her hand and said, "Talitha Koum!" (which means, "little girl, get up!") The girl woke up immediately. Everyone was amazed, me, Jairus, James, John. Jesus told them to not tell anyone what had happened, and asked them to feed the girl some food.

A miracle happens because of Jesus' ability, but to perform miracles it needs our own faith to believe that Jesus can and will make the miracle happen.

(494 words)

Luke 8:40-56, Matthew 9:18-23, Mark 5:21-43 (NIV)

[peter4ever]

1st Miracle [Jesus feeds the 5000]

NO WAY!!!! Today was an epic day. I've witnessed something amazing and impossible, I've witnessed a MIRACLE performed by THE Messiah!

We had such a roller coaster-like activity and gathered with 5000 plus people! We (Jesus, the other disciples, and I) went to a town called Bethsaida, and some crowds had decided to follow us too (because they had seen Jesus performing miracles!).

Journey:

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples, and we noticed that the Jewish Passover Festival was near.

The other disciples and I noticed it was getting a little late, so we informed Jesus that we should send the people away so that they could buy themselves some food. Jesus said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Jesus replied and said that we do not need to send them away, we give them something to eat. And Philip spoke up: "That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" We soon found out that we only had five loaves of bread and two fish. We were stood blanked in the head, because how in the world would we be able to feed 5000 PEOPLE with just that? Jesus told us to give them to him, and we didn't know what to expect.

Then Jesus ordered the crowds to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.

Jesus looked up to heaven, did a lovely prayer/blessed the bread, and slowly broke the loaves. He gave each and every one of them one piece, every single one of them filled their tummies with the delicious loaves of bread satisfactorily. About five thousand men, women, and children were there and ate happily.

After having extra leftovers, Jesus gave them to me and my brothers. Later on, we left and crossed over the region of Magadan by taking a boat. I felt very blessed, grateful, to know this Lord. With God, all things are possible.

(414 words)

Matthew 14:13-21 and Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-15 (NIV)

[peter4ever]

4th Teaching - Inner Purity

After a long day yesterday, I fell asleep so soundly and tiredly because of the teachings with Jesus! Yesterday, we talked about Inner Purity!! Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem and saw Jesus. They realized that we were not following the Jewish ritual of washing our hands before eating (pouring water over cupped hands) so they asked Jesus "Why didn't your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They ate without performing the hand-washing ceremony.".

 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 

Jesus used an example set from God to let the Pharisees get what he is saying, and I totally agree with Jesus.

Jesus then called them hypocrites and said that Isaiah was right when he prophesied about them.

‘These people honor me with their lips,     but their hearts are far from me. 'Their worship is a farce,     for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’

Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

Then we came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

At this moment, I asked him to explain the parable to us.

“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked us. “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...i get it now. Jesus is saying that 'murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander' are what that damaged the purity or appearance of them, and not eating with unwashed hands.

From my point of view, Jesus was calling them hypocrites because they ignored God's Law but is mad that people did not follow a small tradition. He used examples from God and spoke God's word to the people and let them know more about God, amen.

(480 words)

Matthew 15:1-16, Mark 7:1-23 (NIV)

[peter4ever]

3rd Teaching - Prayer

One day, all 12 of us were gathering together finishing up some work, and we happened to see Jesus praying to our Heavenly Father. Once he finished praying, one of us went to Jesus and asked Him how to pray in a proper way, just like how John also taught his disciples.

He answered, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray so people will notice them. I tell you the truth, they already have their full reward. When you pray, you should go into your private room and close the door and pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you." We felt we have absorbed even more knowledge of praying now.

 “And when you pray, don’t be like those people who don’t know God . They ·continue saying things that mean nothing (babble/repeat empty phrases), thinking that God will hear them (they will be heard; the passive verb implies God as subject) because of their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him. So when you pray, you should pray like this:"

Before he continued, I realized that God will hear you too, even if your prayer is short and unclear. He will hear you because he knows you and your needs before you even tell him that. Jesus then continued teaching us.

‘Our Father in heaven, may your name always be kept holy (Hallowed be your name). May your kingdom come and what you want (Your will) be done,     here on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the food we need for each day ( today our daily bread). Forgive us for our sins (debts), just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us (our debtors;  sin is pictured as a debt owed). And do not cause us to be tempted (lead us not into temptation; or do not put us to the test), but save (rescue; deliver) us from the Evil One.’ The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.

"Yes, (For) if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you.  But if you don’t forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins (transgressions; failings; trespasses)".

WOah... I would definitely keep that meaningful and long prayer in mind now. I also really get that part where the prayer says 'just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us' I realized now that, we would also be forgiven because we had forgiven those that sinned against us.

(452 words)

Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV)

[peter4ever]

2nd Teaching - Parable of the Sower

While having large crowds gathering around Jesus, he begun teaching by saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and then birds ate it up." We (disciples) looked at each other confused, but decided to let Rabbi finish his teaching. He continued, "Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.".

At this moment, Jesus said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.".

We quickly asked him what did this parable meant. He said,

“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

'though seeing, they may not see;     though hearing, they may not understand.' "This is the parable's meaning: the seed is God's word." "Those on the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes the word out of their hearts, so that they do not believe and are not saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who rejoice when they hear the word, but they have no root. They believe for a time, but when tested they abandon their faith. The seed that fell among thorns represents those who hear, but they are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures and do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

We finally understood now. I understood. Rabbi used a 'Farmer went out to sow' example to show what humanity has became. What Rabbi said was very true, the devil comes and disturb our faith in God so that we would not get saved by Him. And some that are on the rocky ground and hears the Lord, but abandons their faith when they are being tested. The seed that fell among thorns represents those who hear, but they are very bothered by life's fear, wealth, satisfaction, etc. And the seed on good soil represents those with a good and noble heart who hear the word, sustain it, and produce a crop by patience. (408 words)

Luke 8 (NIV)

[peter4ever]

1st Teaching - Do not Murder

Yesterday, Jesus taught us about the Sermon while we all of us were gathered together on the mountain. It was our first lesson with Jesus, we all felt very excited. Our first topic was about Murder.

And the teaching begins, Rabbi started the teaching by saying, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment".

I sat there thinking.. 'Why would people murder?..What is so bad that people had to harm each other and even extending it to MURDER??' I wanted to ask Him that but he had more to say so we let him to continue.

 "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca' (Worthless) is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell", said Jesus.

In my opinion, what Rabbi said is true, people should not hurt each other because God created us to love and care for each other. 'Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.' 1 Peter 4:8

 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.".

Jesus is trying to teach us to be the good person and always forgive, so if you have something against your brother or sister, go. Go and be reconciled to them and have a great relationship. And afterwards we can come to offer our gift in front of the altar.

Jesus himself repeats and expands upon the commandment, "Do not murder." Murder, as well as other sins, comes from the heart. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

At times, it can be satan that leads you into the stuff you shouldn't do. He couldn't mess with us physically, but he tries his every way and uses his way to drift us further from God. It could be the social media, it could be the people around you trying to change your mindset/movements about God. It could be anything, so as long as we do not let Satan win, we are always the child of God.

'Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death -Lev 24:17'

(427 words)

[peter4ever]

The Son of God APPROACHED me.

(introduction, not considered as 1 entry) Hi all, my name is Peter, meaning his rock solid faith in Jesus as Christ is the foundation of the church. Before I was called Peter, my name was called Simon and I do not regret having my name changed. I work as a fisherman with my brother and I want to share my journey with Jesus and how he came to find me. One day, Jesus was standing beside the sea of Galilee, people were crowding around him to hear the word of God. There he saw two fishermen who were washing their nets. He saw me and my brother. Andrew and I were washing our nets. Jesus went into my boat and started to taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to me "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Me and my brother looked at each other hesitantly because we were out all night and did not catch any fish. At last, we thought why not try again since Jesus requested. When we let down our nets, we caught a large number of fish that even the nets started to break! We quickly called for another boat, and in that moment, I realized something.

I quickly fell at Jesus' knees and told him to go away from me, for I'm a sinful man. Jesus told me to not be afraid, because from now on I will fish for people. All of us left everything on shore and followed him. From that day on-wards, I'm an official disciple of Jesus. I continued following him, watching him teach, heal, love. Thank you Jesus !

Luke 5 (NIV)