Jacob Chronicles for Kids: Volume 2, Issue 6

Peter, a Living Stone

The Verse

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

The Story

Peter and the other disciples followed Jesus to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. But it wasn’t long before Peter heard the faint sound of metal, like the sound of drum cymbals crashing. The sound grew louder. In the dim light of torches, Peter saw the face of a Roman Tribune. One thousand of his soldiers surrounded them. The chief priests and Pharisees stood with the soldiers. 

Was that Judas among them? What was he thinking? He was one of the twelve from the beginning. Jesus had called him friend. They had trusted Judas with the money bag. How dare he betray Jesus this way!

Peter stood with Jesus.

Then Jesus stepped forward and said, “Who are you looking for?”

They answered Jesus, “We are looking for Jesus the Nazarene.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.”

The Roman Tribune and his soldiers, the chief priests, and Pharisees drew back at the sound of Jesus’ voice and fell to the ground. 

When they stood to their feet, Jesus told them He was the one they wanted and to let his disciples go.

But Simon Peter was ready to fight. He drew his sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus, a slave to the high priest. 

Jesus told Peter to put his sword back into his sheath. “The cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

The soldiers arrested Jesus and bound Him. They led Him to the court of the high priest.

Peter followed. 

Upon the word of another disciple, the doorkeeper let Peter enter the court of the high priest. And the slave girl who kept the door said to him, “Aren’t you one of His disciples?”

Peter replied calmly, “No.”

Then Peter heard the high priest wrongfully accuse Jesus. He saw the officers strike Jesus. Peter moved quickly to the open fire, hoping to get lost in the crowd.

Those standing there said, “You’re one of His disciples, aren’t you?”

Peter denied it. “No, I am not.”

But a relative of Malchus said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with Him? It was you who cut off my cousin’s ear!”

Peter denied it again. “No, that wasn’t me!”

The rooster crowed. Peter ran away and wept bitterly. 

Now it was the first day of the week when Peter saw Mary Magdalene running toward him. “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb. We don’t know where He is.”

Peter ran with John to the tomb. Peter saw the linen wrappings lying there. He remembered when Jesus had told him He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.

Peter believed. 

Peter didn’t know what to do. So, he went back to his boat and mended his nets. He and his friends went fishing

A figure appeared on the beach. He called out to them, “You don’t have any fish, do you?”

They replied, “No.”

Then John said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

Peter laid down his empty net and jumped into the water. He swam to shore. The other disciples followed in the boat.

Jesus took Peter aside. He asked Peter three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” 

And three times Peter replied, “Yes, Lord. You know all things. You know I love You.”

Jesus said to Peter:

"Tend My lambs."

"Shepherd My sheep."

"Tend my sheep."

Peter followed Jesus. He carried out the commission Jesus had given him until his final breath.

Simon Peter's brother, Andrew, led Peter to Jesus. Jesus’ first words to Peter were, “Follow me."

Jesus' last words to Peter were also, "Follow Me!"

Simon Peter made mistakes and stumbled along the way. He was often impulsive and afraid. During Jesus' trial, Peter denied Him three times.

So, how did Peter grow and learn to follow Jesus? It was by the love Jesus demonstrated toward Peter.

Jesus has also demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, like Peter, He died for us.

JOIN THE FLOCK