"Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:18 NLT
Here is another worship profile from the Praise and Worship Study Bible published by Tyndale House. This is great Study Bible for information on Biblical worship.
Peter holds a truly distinguished place in Christian history. Of all the disciples, Peter is most often mentioned in the four Gospels. On every list of Jesus' twelve disciples, Peter's name appeared first. Peter was the first disciple to see the risen Christ. He, James, and John alone witnessed the Transfiguration. Jesus himself acknowledged Peter's prominent role (Matt. 16:16-19) when he changed the disciple's name from "Simon" to "Peter" and proclaimed that he was the rock on which his church would stand. Yet Peter also displayed reckless fervor and took humbling missteps. Quick to act and speak, Peter once earned a rebuke for failing to understand Jesus' mission. And Peter's denial of Christ remains one of the most familiar Gospel accounts. Yet, after Jesus' resurrection, Peter was restored as a "fisher of men."
Peter the Worshiper
Peter sensed and responded to the holiness of Jesus. Having witnessed a miraculous catch of fish, he fell to his knees in worship. Sensing his own unworthiness, he said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me--I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." Jesus replied, "Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!" (Luke 5:5-10). This event shows us much about Peter--a stumbling sinner, whom Christ called to bring the Good News of restoration to others.
Peter also showed us what our life response as worshipers should be. Assured of his forgiveness and restored by Jesus' words of healing, Peter energized the early church with the strength he found in God. He delivered powerful sermons, healed the sick and lame, and assumed a vital role in the spread of the Good News to the Gentiles. Similarly, our salvation frees us to discover those gifts and abilities that build others up.
Learning from Peter
Peter's humbling experience mirrored that of Christians who approach our Lord in worship. Peter's sorrow and confession of sin was followed by his restoration to the work of sharing the Good News. We gather in worship not only to confess our sins but also to be restored to duty by God's Word and the Holy Spirit.
We should be astonished and humbled that Peter's story has been repeated so frequently in the lives of Christians throughout the centuries. God uses broken sinners to accomplish his will. In such lives we see clearly God's sovereign and powerful grace.
Following the Example
Peter's confession--"You are the Messiah!" (Matthew 16:16)--unites worshipers in all times and places. Peter's repentance reminds us that worship begins with the humble acknowledgement that we are sinners. Finally, Peter's restoration reminds us that the Holy Spirit makes us whole. Peter himself testified to this process: "He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation" (1 Peter 5:10). We can rejoice as we think about this bedrock that supports all who confess the lordship of Christ.