Bible readers have always LOVED Peter. We love his rash statements, his passion, even his mistakes. People identify with Simon Peter. I relate to the way he talks without thinking. You know he keeps making mistakes—but you also know his heart is in the right place. He just wants to please Jesus, but often does not know how.
But these stories of Peter’s screwups are noticeably lacking from the book of Mark. I caught that today reading a chronological King James Bible; Matthew reports Peter meeting Jesus walking on the water, then losing faith and falling in. But Mark reports Jesus on the water without mentioning Peter.
It turns out, Mark omits most of Peter’s failures. Why?
Mark and Peter were friends. Scholars believe Peter was the source for Mark’s gospel. Either Peter did not tell Mark about his embarrassing moments, or Mark omitted them[1] out of respect for the man who had become the most respected of all apostles. (I believe it’s the latter.)
But aren’t you glad the other writers fleshed-out the full story of crazy Peter, with his big mouth and out-sized personality? He tried to decapitate a Roman soldier! I’m glad that’s in there!
The Bible is the only religious book that does not hide the failures of its heroes. Did you know that? You can name failures for everyone—Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, and on and on. And that gives the scriptures credibility. A false religion would try to make perfect saints of them all. But the Bible shows humans, like you and me, struggling, forgiven, and growing in faith.
God, help us seek excellence and GRACE, not perfection. Thank You for loving us and redeeming us!
ΑΩ
[1] For a list of Peter’s failures omitted from Mark’s gospel, see https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/good-reasons-to-believe-peter-is-the-source-of-marks-gospel/
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