Eyes on Him - The Faith of Peter

Peter walked on water and then he sank. He boldly testified of Christ and then denied Him three times. This week, we dive into Peter’s story during Holy Week and discover a disciple who was faithful, flawed, and ultimately transformed. From miracles to mistakes, Peter reminds us that discipleship isn’t about perfection—it’s about staying focused on Christ. Because the same Savior who lifted Peter is reaching for you too. This episode is, "Keeping our Eyes on Him - The Faith of Peter" and we are so glad you are here!

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Choose one simple way this week to love the Savior more deeply by keeping your focus on Him.

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Show Notes

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Transcript

Episode 158 - Eye on Him, The Faith of Peter

Cydni: [00:00:00] This is not a new inspired thought. It's just the truth is when you get on social media, it's super negative. Every headline is something that I feel like our soul probably doesn't need to know. But you know, I've noticed is if you are off social media and you're out in the world, there are lots of amazing things. One of the best things I've seen this week, you and I were on a walk and we passed the high school and there was a gentleman. Kicking a football by himself. When we went one direction he was missing, when we came back, he scored, he kicked the ball over the hoop. 

Sher: That'd be called a field goal. I'm here for you. 

Cydni: Okay. You made a field goal. And I watched this man celebrate, he full on, celebrated his field goal. And it was one of the best things I've seen this week. And also we were on a walk. I just really loved that the tracks that runs by, they honked and waved at us. And I thought, what a small gesture. But it just felt good in my heart. 

Sher: Or someone was [00:01:00] behind us trying to murder us and he was like, look behind you. you stupid idiots.

Cydni: They're like flipping us off but we couldn't see. They're like, I hate you. I don't know why, but I hate you. Maybe that was it. But I'm gonna believe the other one. And our hope today is that you see some good in this podcast.

Good luck to you. Welcome to the Cydni and Sher podcast.

Sher: All right, Cydni, we are continuing our quest to learn more about Easter. And today Cydni and I really wanted to learn more about Peter. During Holy Week, Peter is known for denying Christ. Even after he promised Christ, he would never do that. He ended up denying Christ three times. And we decided we wanted to learn more about this situation. So we thought we'd start at the beginning. 

Cydni: And I am grateful you picked this because I feel as much love as I felt for Mary Magdalene in studying her life. I feel this way for Peter now too. And I [00:02:00] also feel it goes with what we were saying in the beginning, that you can find negative and people tend to stick to negative situations and negative things because to know him that he denied Christ when there is a fountain of goodness in the stories of Peter. Why do we do that? 

Sher: I don't know. But I think all of us have our moments when we just wanna focus on the negative 'cause truly, Peter is amazing and I feel the same way. I have learned so much about Peter, but remember Cydni and I are still on level one. Mm-hmm. So if you want hard hitting information,

Cydni: then read your Bible. Why are you seeking a podcast instead of a Bible that's on you? Get it together.

Sher: So we learn in the Bible that Peter was a fisherman and his original name was Simon. He worked with his brother Andrew, and he was also partners with James and John so I'm gonna go to Luke chapter five and kind of read the Bible, but there's gonna be a lot of paraphrasing from me.

Cydni: So the [00:03:00] Bible according to Sher. 

Sher: Take that for whatever it's worth . So it says, and it came to pass that as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God. So this is talking about Jesus, that he needed to move so everyone could see and hear him. And the reason that he needed to move is because people were surrounding him and getting way too close. Now I saw this try to happen on Sunday. Cydni was giving this really awesome lesson to the primary kids. 

Cydni: Yeah, it was fire. Honestly, I've been considering being available for hire for people's wards and churches. 

Sher: For hire. Yeah. They're gonna pay you. 

Cydni: I mean, I don't have a job right now, so Yeah. 

Sher: Great idea. Cydni, I think they talk about that in the Book of Mormon. I think it's called Priest Craft. Is that what 

Cydni: it is? I mean, I will bring cake. 

Sher: Well, in that case. Okay. So anyway, Cydni truly was giving this awesome lesson and I saw the kids all start to stand up and inch closer because they wanted to see what Cydni was [00:04:00] up to and they wanted to get closer.

But because we have really good teachers, they were kind of keeping the kids down. But a few children did escape and make it to Cydni, which you handled very well. 

Cydni: Thank you. 

Sher: This is what was happening to the Savior is he was giving an awesome lesson and people were so. Enthralled by it that they wanted to get closer, and so the people on the second row couldn't see anymore. 

Cydni: Thank you for comparing me to Christ as I wore a mustache in primary, and to put me on the same level. That's the most blasphemous thing you've ever said,

Sher: I know. I'm sorry. I apologize. 

Cydni: No, I liked it. I didn't even ask you to say nice things, so thank you. 

Sher: I won't let it happen again. I'm sorry. So, because people were getting so close to the Savior, he needed to come up with a plan. And so this is what happened. And saw two ships standing by the lake and he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and asked him that he would go out a little from the land so the people could see him.

And he then sat down and he taught the people out of the ship. Now, when he had left [00:05:00] speaking, he said unto Simon. Launch out into the deep and let down your nets and you're gonna get a big fat hall. And Simon answering, said unto him, master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing. nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net.

I love this part Cydni, because this shows to me that Simon Peter was a super hard worker. And he was obedient. He was already building faith in our Savior, working line upon line. He immediately did what the Savior told him to do.

And then here's the result. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes and their net break, and they beckoned onto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships so that they began to sink.

And when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus's knees saying, depart from me. For I'm a sinful man. Oh Lord. So what I learned from this part [00:06:00] is that Peter felt he wasn't worthy for this miracle or to even be in the presence of our Savior.

And this is something Cydni that we have been learning about last year. We talked a lot about that we are His sons and daughters and our Heavenly Father and our Savior. Want to pour out all of these blessings on us.

They wanna give us the perfect and very best gifts, but we need to accept it. They're not gonna ever force it. But part of the struggle here is accepting the fact that we are worthy to receive their gifts. And you can see that in Peter that he felt like he was not worthy for the gift or to be in the presence of the Lord.

Cydni: I think this is such a great illustration of how ridiculous it would be to not receive a gift. Because what if they were like, oh, look at all these fish. I'm gonna put it back in the water. That would be absurd. But we do that with our gifts. We don't accept gifts, we don't receive things. And this story it helps us to realize how [00:07:00] absurd that would be. 

Sher: That's a really good way to look at it, because it's true. Oftentimes, I sabotage myself like I am not worthy which I'm not, but I think that I'm not good enough or I'm not worthy enough.

Cydni: But that feeling is not just yours alone. Peter felt it. As soon as he recognizes who he's with, he then says, I'm a sinful man. That's the unworthiness. Something I love about Peter is how he showcases so well, who God wants to use, that it will be all of us.

I did a summary on AI of why do people love Peter so much? And I actually loved it so much. It says his stories resonate deeply with many Christians because they showcase bold faith, human failure, repentance, forgiveness, transformation, making him a symbol of grace and growth.

I just thought way to go ai. That was beautiful. And I feel that when I read through his stories of how human he is and he is human, but he does have bold faith and he does say what he's thinking and [00:08:00] we can see ourself in the story of, I'm sinful. Don't come near me. I'm sinful. I can't receive these things, I can't receive your presence. Oh, but God does use his presence. 

Sher: I think this is the reason why both of us love learning about Peter so much is because you see that he's human. You don't get all the perfection. You get all of it. And I think it makes Peter really relatable. 

Okay. Back to the Bible for he, Peter was astonished and all that were with him at the tons of fishes, which they had taken, and so was also James and John, the sons of Zee.

Which were partners with Simon and Jesus said unto Simon, fear not from hence forth. Thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all and followed him. Peter had faith right from the beginning. Now it might've been in his infant stages, but he was obedient and he immediately followed Christ.

He left everything. He forsook all to follow our Savior. I just find it [00:09:00] amazing that his beginning faith, his lineup upon line, I think is already at this point ahead of mine, that he was so quick to be obedient. I need a little bit more of that in my life.

Cydni: Could I add that I listened to several podcasts and History channel on Peter. But where my heart was changed is I read through every big story of Peter. I read this story, and I read him walking on water. I read about him denying Christ. And if you got one thing from this episode today, it's read the stories on your own because if you want to have a love for Peter, if you want to have. Your testimony strengthened. You have to truly read it on your own. It will change your perspective. It will give you insight that nobody else will have but you through the Spirit. And when I read the miracle of the catching of the fish, I immediately just felt how wonderful that immediately Christ gets in the boat with [00:10:00] him.

And I think that's a really important part to remember. We're not alone. Christ is willing to get in the boat with us. He's like, can I get in? And yes you can. And I also, when I read Love that Simon lets down the net, to me that represented surrender. Things were not going right they weren't catching fish. And it wasn't like, well, I've done everything right so why even try. But it was I choose to trust you. And it reminded me of there is the preacher her last name is Hill and she talks about surrender.

And she says that surrender is scary because we think if we let go of what we have, that God's not big enough and not powerful enough to fill those empty hands up again. And to me this represents that when you do let down your net and you do surrender your empty net, how much was their net filled? God will do the same for us. 

Sher: I love the point that when we were reading about Peter, how our testimony. Began to grow. And you see those little things like what you just said [00:11:00] about surrendering and humility and obedience and forgiveness.

All of these things are all wrapped up into Peter. And honestly, I hope our listeners get just a little bit of that love that we have for Peter throughout this whole podcast.

Cydni: Right. I hope so too. The love for him and also the example, because when I read they forsook all and followed him. I looked up forsook, which is forsake, but it says, which means to abandon dessert or leave entirely. That was their career. They left everything. I don't know if I'm in a position where I'm as brave and courageous and faithful to do that.

This is what I mean by if you want your heart to change that, if you were asked to forsake everything that you have, dessert entirely, leave entirely. Would you be able to do it? They did that. . Maybe they didn't feel like they were ready, but they did it. 

Sher: Really. There are so many lessons to learn here, and it just keeps going. 

Cydni: Unless they really hated fishing and they were looking for any way out. There is that possibility. 

Sher: okay. Going [00:12:00] back to the Bible, we also learned in the scriptures that Simon was renamed to Peter In John chapter one, verse 42, I think Elder Bruce r McConkey explains this really well. He said, destined to stand as president of the church of Jesus Christ and to exercise the keys of the kingdom in their fullness, Peter was to be a prophet seer And Revelator foreshadowing this. Jesus confers a new name upon his chief disciple, the name Cephus which means a seer or a stone. This added significance will soon be given this designation when in promising him the keys of the kingdom.

 Our Lord will tell Peter that the gates of hell shall never prevail against the rock of revelation, or in other words, against seership. Seers are specially selected prophets who are empowered to know past, present, and future things, a gift which is greater can no man have. All right, Cydni. This is Peter. He was not only an apostle to the [00:13:00] Lord, but he is going to become his prophet, and he was able to see in all directions, which is the greatest gift of all.

Now Peter doesn't realize at this point what is going to happen and who he's really gonna become. But the Savior recognized this in Peter Long before Peter recognized it in himself. And I wonder if any of our prophets ever see any of that in them, even when they're the prophets. Like if they're just like, I cannot believe this is happening to me every single day they wake up because that is a heavy burden to carry. But it's also as, Elder McConkey said the greatest gift of all, and Peter had that.

Cydni: When you were talking about that, I realized how people. Get so upset that we believe that prophets are not perfect, but when have they ever been? And here we have some of the most amazing examples in the scriptures who all have sinned and haven't been perfect or even close. I'm pretty sure [00:14:00] Peter is most corrected by Jesus of all. 

Sher: it seems like he is. 

Cydni: Yeah, I think he gets called Satan, right? By jesus. 

Sher: Yeah. It's coming in hot later in the program. 

Cydni: think of all the names that Jesus might've called us.

Sher: No kidding. 

Cydni: Outside of people first thinking that Peter denied Christ three times, I think the next story that's probably more popular or known or thought of is walking on water. My friend recently walked on water when her dishwasher flooded her house, and it was just like the perfect level to feel like you're walking on water, so 

Sher: Oh, lucky her.

Cydni: Mm-hmm. 

Sher: Yeah. Congratulations. 

Cydni: Way to go, Jen. All right. One thing I really noticed this time when I was reading in Matthew 14, the first thing it says is that Jesus constrained his disciples to get into the ship and go. What I am thinking here is. He knew the storm was coming, he sent them into the storm and I wonder is that Christ-like to send someone into a storm, but he [00:15:00] did it.

And I thought of our come follow me in the last week that Joseph says that God meant it for good, the difficult things that he had gone through that has stuck out to me and I've really been reflecting on it. All the difficult trials that we have gone through, God meant it for good. And as we read the story, we see that it is true because of what happens here.

That first Jesus constraints his disciple to get in the ship and go and then he goes up into the mountain and they are now deep into a storm waves and darkness and heavy winds. And he comes back in the fourth watch.

When I looked up the fourth watch I know we've talked about it a few times that it's hours of three and 6:00 AM but it adds it's when the night is darkest in dawn, while soon to break is most in doubt.

So Jesus shows up in the darkest part of the night when the dawn is about to break, but [00:16:00] when they are in most doubt and you could see that in your own life where you're doing everything and it feels like you're doing everything that you can do, and you are in your most doubt. But he shows up again as he will, but they don't think it's Christ. They think it's a ghost, and they're terrified. And this is another example of when Christ is not immediately recognized by people who know him. And it is not until they hear him once again that they recognize him. And I really love that as we've studied, we are seeing this over and over and they don't know it's him until they hear him saying, be of good cheer. It is, I be not afraid. And Peter. Answers back. And he says, Lord, if it be thou bid me to come into the water. And he said, come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on water to go to Jesus. And now this is where a lot of people have different thoughts about it because a lot of people point out that he started sinking and [00:17:00] that he didn't look to Christ anymore. And I have always thought with this story that it's remarkable that he was faithful enough to take that first step. 

Sher: I agree. 

Cydni: So yes, he sunk, but let's just remember that he just walked on water. . So we agree that he was faithful enough to give it a shot, and I think that really matters, especially for who he's going to become. what do you think though, when Christ says, oh, thou of little faith wherefore did thou doubt? How does that make you feel? 

Sher: Honestly, Cydni, I feel like it just, is something I can relate to. Because how many times have I felt such faith and then it's almost like I lose focus and I get distracted and then I start to doubt, and then I have fear, and then I start to sink, and then it's like a recycling process. I have to start all over again. So to me, this shows that we can go through almost like cycles with our faith. Sometimes faith comes easy and sometimes it's a lot more difficult, [00:18:00] but having those difficult times it helps your faith grow stronger. 

Cydni: Right. And I think If you knew you could walk on water once, then maybe you would do a better job the second time, right?

Sher: Correct. 

Cydni: But the obvious part of the story does matter. Peter did take his eyes. Off of Christ. And that is when he started to doubt. And I do think we recognize that he had every cause to doubt because it was really scary. And he didn't know if he was good enough to walk on the water or if Christ was gonna be disappointed in him or what the other people are thinking. There's so much, and I think that's really a very human feeling to fill and you can relate it to your own life of I am not doing this very good. And those thoughts, when they can come in, they will come in and that's where we drowned and we drowned with the distractions and we drowned with those thoughts of doubts and fear and that we're not good enough.

And so are we gonna go walk on water and sink? I don't think so. But could we wake up in the morning and let those [00:19:00] thoughts of doubts and insecurities and fear help us to sink? Yes. I think that is where we can relate to the story. 

Sher: Absolutely. And we need to keep our focus and our eye on Christ. I feel like if we can do that, that helps block out the doubts and the insecurities and all the things that come in that make us doubt the gospel and the Savior is get rid of all of that and focus on Christ and don't let it in in the first place, which is easier said than done, but refocus, have faith and do that cycle again. Maybe someday it will get easier 

Cydni: maybe. And one more important note from this specific instance with Christ is at the end Christ has saved him and rebuked him a little bit. The disciples say of a truth, thou art the son of God. And that is where Peter is qualified to talk about trials and tribulations and being of good cheer because of the testimony they [00:20:00] gained through that storm. And to me, that's what we've talked about before, these moments that seal our hearts to Christ. And it's these moments where our testimony is of a truth. Thou art the son of God. 

Sher: All right. Another story is with Jarius, he asked Jesus to heal his daughter and on the way to heal his daughter. This is when the lady with an issue of blood touched the Savior's clothing. And then right after this, Jarius is told not to bother the Savior anymore because his daughter had died. It was too late. we go from seeing this incredible miracle with this woman who believed if she could just touch the Savior was healed. I'm sure everyone, including Peter, was just amazed and inspired. And then we get this message that it's too late because Jarius, his daughter is dead.

But the Savior said this. Be not afraid. Only believe he then allowed Peter, James and John to continue to the house of Jarius, and then Peter saw the Savior [00:21:00] raised this little girl from the dead.

Jesus was preparing Peter, James and John to receive the priesthood keys to lead the church, and then they themselves could do the same miracles. I can't even imagine what a testimony builder this was. They got to see Jesus raise someone from the dead before everyone saw Lazarus. He's getting these little hints of the person that he is going to be. and again, he's just learning line upon line. Little bit of faith, growing a little bit stronger every single day.

 Moving on to Matthew 16, and this is me paraphrasing again. Jesus asked his disciples, whom do men say that I, the son of man am? And they said, some say thou art John the Baptist. Some say Elias. Others say Jeremiahs or one of the prophets, and he sayeth unto them. But whom say ye, that I am And Peter. Answered immediately. And he said, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living [00:22:00] God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed art thou Simon Barona for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but my father, which is in heaven.

And I say also unto the, that thou art Peter. And upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loose in heaven.

I love that Peter said it without hesitation. He knew who Jesus was and he wasn't afraid to testify of it. He knew it. He. I find it ironic that right after this in the scriptures, that Jesus then begins to explain to his disciples all the terrible things that are gonna happen to him when they get to Jerusalem.

And Peter rebuked Jesus and said, this shall not be. And Jesus said, back to Peter, [00:23:00] get the behind me, Satan. So basically he said to Peter, you need to listen to God and not to men. Now, I imagine that as they entered Jerusalem, that Peter was thinking in the back of his mind that he might be the one that was right, that things were actually gonna work out okay.

. But fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, Jesus was right. But the reason I love this is because it shows that Peter has such a strong testimony and he knew Christ, he knew he was the son of God. then in the same chapter, he's getting rebuked and Jesus is saying, you need to listen to me.

You're not gonna listen to men. I am telling you things are not gonna work out the way you want them to. It's gonna get a little dicey. But I really related to this one Cydni because when I hear things that I don't wanna hear, I just delete it and change it to be the way I want it to be. And 

Cydni: I'm just finding this really [00:24:00] interesting and unexpected from your personality, considering you changed our entire outline last week.

Sher: Exactly. So you get what I'm saying? I'll say, okay. And then I just change 

Cydni: it. 

Sher: Change it, right. 

Cydni: Delete, edit. 

Sher: And this is, take out this is what Peter did, but I also wanna say, I think it has something to do with being too idealistic. So if somebody gives me bad news, I'm quick to say, oh, it's gonna be fine.

Everything's gonna work out okay. There's no need to worry about it. And I see that with Peter He's being idealistic and he's saying, Jesus, it's gonna be fine. Everything's gonna work out great. That's not gonna happen. 

Cydni: And even a bit of a protector vibe going on too, which I think you are that way with people that you love and you're loyal and I think that you're like, there is no way this is going to happen because I've got your back. I'm gonna make sure it goes better than you even expect. So I think there's some loyalty going on too. 

Sher: I definitely agree. And Peter does try to protect the Savior. [00:25:00] That also didn't work out the way he thought. So then we move on to Matthew 26. And Jesus told his disciples that all would deny him, and Peter answered and said unto him. Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet I will never be offended. And Jesus said unto him verly, I say unto thee that this night before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, though, I should die with thee, yet I will not deny. The then Peter, James, and John go to the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus.

what those three men were called to witness what a heavy burden that obviously the Savior was going through. But what those three men were called to testify and witness, I cannot even imagine. It was so dark and so heavy that they couldn't even keep their eyes open and they fell asleep.

I don't know how the Savior atone for each and every one [00:26:00] of us individually, and I don't know how these three men could even stand or bear to watch it. I can't imagine the darkness and the suffering That they witnessed and then right after this was over, that's when the mob shows up to arrest Jesus.

So this is where we get to see Peter Spunk. Simon Peter having a sword drew it and smoked the high priester and cut off his right ear. Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into the sheath, the cup, which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?

Peter was ready to fight. He had the Lord's back, and he's like, this mob's not taking you anywhere. But the Lord said it's not time for that. at this point, Peter had gone from being, I'm sure, completely joyful at the beginning of the week to watching the Lord suffer.

Two, he's ready to fight. But no, that's not the Father's plan. I feel that at this point, [00:27:00] Peter was physically, mentally, and spiritually absolutely exhausted, Peter still followed the crowd as they arrested Jesus. And in Matthew it says that two different damsels asked Peter if he was a disciple of Christ.

And then he said, no. And then in Matthew, again it says, and after a while came unto him. They that stood by and said to Peter, surely thou art one of them for thy speech reveals thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew and Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me. And he went out and wept bitterly. This makes me ask myself, how many times have I denied Christ? Now I wanna come back to that idea, but let's go to Peter first for Peter. This I'm sure was not only a long week, but a really long [00:28:00] day.

I think Peter was afraid. I think he was in shock. He was tired and exhausted to the core. Andrew C. Skinner gave a talk called Peter the chief Apostle. In this talk, he said he thinks that Peter was crying for denying Christ. He was frustrated and that he was powerless to stop what was happening to the Savior.

He was absolutely overwhelmed, and this goes back to what you said, Cydni, that he was loyal. He tried to stop the mob from taking Him. He was ready to die for Christ and put up the fight, and Christ said, now's not the time. We're not doing that. You need to let the Father's will happen.

I personally am so grateful for this part of this story in the scriptures because it shows me that even prophets make mistakes and they get frustrated and they cry because bad choices and bad things happen, but like them, I can be forgiven, I can forgive, and I can move forward. Peter [00:29:00] was forgiven, he forgave, and he became a prophet.

Certainly, I can be forgiven and figure out how to get up in the morning. Andrew Skinner also said in his talk Peter was the chief apostle in the meridian dispensation, and held the position equivalent to that of the president of the church of Jesus Christ In our day, Peter was a great prophet, seer and Revelator.

He, along with James and John, who together constituted the first presidency of the church in their day, received the keys of the kingdom from the Savior. Moses, Elijah, and others on the Mount of Transfiguration. In June of 1829, Peter, James and John returned to Earth as immortal beings and conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry, the Mel Hetic priesthood and its keys and ordained them to be apostles of the dispensation of the fullness of times.

Truly, Peter was a man for all seasons of the Lord's kingdom. I cannot think of another prophet that was called [00:30:00] to tie three different dispensations together. And I'm so grateful the scriptures show this man's mistakes and regrets because it gives me hope for me.

Cydni: When you decided on Peter as our topic, I immediately thought of a talk by Jeffrey Holland who brings this to life, and I decided. His words are going to be the best. He says, please forgive him because he's going to, like you did the Bible according to Sher. He did the Bible according to Jeffrey or Holland, 

Sher: Which is probably a better person to listen to.

Cydni: There's no favorites here. 

Sher: I love Elder Holland. He's the best. 

Cydni: Oh, me too. And he has been someone who's brought scriptures to life for me. And he did so with this. And he says that after all of this has happened, that the disciples turn to Peter and say, what do we do now? Like everything we've worked for, and here we are, what do we [00:31:00] do?

And he said that, well, I think we should go fishing. And this is what Jeffrey Rha says. He says, but alas, the fishing wasn't very good their first night back on the lake. They caught nothing with the first raise of dawn. They disappointed, turned toward the shore. And when they saw in the distance a figure who called out to them children, have you caught anything? Glumly. These apostles turned again. Fishermen gave the answer. No fishermen wants to give. We've caught nothing.

Cast the net on the right side of the ship and he shall find the stranger. Calls out. And with those simple words, recognition begins to flood over them. Just three years earlier, these very men had been fishing on this very sea on this occasion. Two, they had been toiled all night and had taken nothing.

But a fellow Galilean on the shore had called out to them, let down their nets, and they drew a great multitude of fish. John [00:32:00] said, the obvious, it is the Lord. And over the edge of the boat, the impressible Peter leaped.

after a joyful reunion with the resurrected Jesus, Peter had an exchange with a Savior that I consider to be the crucial turning point of his ministry. Looking at their battered little boats and their fray nets and a stunning pile of fish. Jesus turned to the senior apostle Peter, do you love me more than you love all of this? Peter said, yay.

Lord, thou knowest I love thee. The Savior responds to that reply, but continues to look into the eyes of his disciple and says again, Peter, do you love me? Undoubtedly confused a bit by the repetition of the question. The great fisherman answered a second time. Yay. Lord thou knowest I love thee. The savior again gives a brief response, but with relentless scrutiny. He ask a third time, Peter, do you love me by [00:33:00] now? Surely Peter is feeling truly uncomfortable. Perhaps there is in his heart the memory of only a few days earlier when he had been asked another question three times and he had answered equally empathetically, but in a negative.

Or perhaps he began to wonder if he misunderstood the master teacher's question. Or perhaps he was searching his heart, seeking honest confirmation of the answer he had to give so readily. Whatever his feelings. Peter said the third time, Lord. Thou I love thee, to which the Lord responds.

And he says, and here again, I acknowledge my non scriptural elaboration. Perhaps saying something like, then Peter, why are you here? Why are you back on the same shore by the same nets, having the same conversation? Wasn't it obvious then? And isn't it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter are disciples and I need them [00:34:00] forever.

 I need someone to feed my sheep and to save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, who truly, truly loves me. and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. I thought about using my own words, but I deeply love that and I didn't want to serve something that's one star when we have a five star Gere r Holland. Is that fine with you? 

Sher: Absolutely. 

Cydni: I do think we should ask ourselves how many times we deny Christ, and I think we should try to ask ourselves how do we love him more? 

Sher: We should ask ourselves that question because as I pondered it, I realized that I'm not always brave and I'm not always bold, and I don't wanna cause commotion or start an argument so I stay quiet or I change the subject, or I deflect or say something funny.

 But in the words of one of my friends , I don't know where she got this from, but she [00:35:00] says it all the time that Christ wasn't a peacekeeper. He was a peacemaker. And what this means is this, a peacemaker avoids conflict, tries to keep everyone comfortable, often say silent to maintain calm.

That's what I do way too often. But the Savior was not a peacekeeper. And maybe one night out of all of Peter's life, he was a peacekeeper. But for the rest of his life, he was a peacemaker like our Savior. this is the definition of a peacemaker.

Confronts wrong when necessary, brings truth, repentance, and reconciliation creates real peace, even if it requires tension first. The definition went on to say Christ. Frequently challenged, hypocrisy, corrected religious leaders and called people to repentance That didn't always keep the peace, but it created the possibility for true peace with God and with others. So [00:36:00] the question is, which one am I? Am I a peacekeeper or am I a peacemaker? 

Cydni: Oh man, I love that Sher. I am going home as a peacemaker. I'm gonna switch things up in that house. 

Sher: sorry, kids. So when difficult topics come up in conversation with friends or coworkers, When I hear people talking or taking the Savior and the gospel lightly, I too often deny Christ by being a peacekeeper. I don't wanna rock the boat, so I don't say anything. Peter denied Christ three times. But how many times have I done the same? President Kimball stated Peter was under fire. All the hosts of hell were against him. The die had been cast for the Savior's crucifixion. If Satan could destroy Simon now, what a victory he would score. Here was the greatest of all living men. Lucifer wanted to confuse him, frustrate him, limit his prestige, [00:37:00] and totally destroy him. However, this was not to be for, he was chosen and ordained to a high purpose in heaven.

This incredible prophet Peter went on to testify boldly of Christ. He was never again a peacekeeper. He told the truth, honestly and fearlessly, tradition states he was crucified in Rome, upside down. He didn't consider himself to be worthy enough to be crucified in the same manner as Christ, so he asked to be turned upside down.

Peter was an imperfect, faithful, brave, courageous man. I have absolutely loved learning about Peter and his incredible life as a disciple to the Savior. 

Cydni: We challenge you this week to get to your local rec center, find the pool, and go for it. Have faith and take a few steps on that water. 

Sher: What a challenge, Cydni. Please give us a [00:38:00] backup. 

Cydni: In the Elder Hollands talk, he says he would not be surprised if one day when we see the Savior face to face, he will ask us, did you love me? We challenge you to love the Savior better and deeper. And keep your eyes on him. She and I have gained a deeper testimony of our Savior this week as we've prepared and studied Peter's life taking time to read the scriptures and feast on them will change your life. We could testify that to be true.

Sher: This brings us to our final thoughts. Peter had moments of incredible faith, but also had moments of fear and weakness on that long night. During Holy Week, he denied Christ three times and wept bitterly, but that wasn't the end of his story. The Savior forgave him, strengthened him, and trusted him to lead and feed my sheep. Peter reminds us that discipleship is a process. Some days we are brave and bold, and other days we [00:39:00] fall short, but the Savior doesn't give up on us. Peter's story reminds us that there is hope for all of us because our Savior, he has risen.

Cydni: Indeed, he has. 

Sher: This is our prayer 

Cydni: from Cydni and Sher 

Cydni: I laugh, I'm sorry. You have to edit me laughing out at my own joke. It's just that sometimes when I read too much about it, my mind is like, so intelligent. I don't know how to simplify it for other people. 

Sher: Huh. 

Cydni: Okay. That was a lie. All right. And I feel that way with our podcast. She like, we took a step into the water and we have been podcasting deep in the depths of water. For a long time 

Sher: we're sinking. 

Cydni: One day there's gonna be a hand that reaches [00:40:00] out and save us. Until then, here we are in the trenches, podcasting in deep waters. Drowning.

Sher: We have a life jacket. We're fine. And this is the definition of a pacemaker. Pacemaker peacemaker. This is get serious. Thanks for joining us. 

Cydni: We're so glad you're here. 

WORKS CITED

Holland, Jeffrey R. “The First Great Commandment.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 

Saints, Apr. 2012, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

Kimball, Spencer W. “Peter, My Brother.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 

1971, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

McConkie, Bruce R. Doctrinal New Testament Commentary. Bookcraft, 1973.

Skinner, Andrew C. “Peter, the Chief Apostle.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 

www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

The Holy Bible. King James Version, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 

www.churchofjesuschrist.org.