A Great Teacher Shows Us the Creator More Clearly -Conclusion of A Fisherman's View

After some two yeas of association with Jesus, Peter was sure that Jesus was the Messiah.  Once, Jesus asked his disciples: "Who are men saying that I am?"  He got various answers. He then asked them:  "You, though, who do you say I am?"   Peter confidently replied:  "You are the Christ."  You might find strange what Jesus did next.  He "strictly charged   them not to tell anyone." about that.  (Mark 8:27-30; Matthew 12:16)  Why would he say that?  Jesus was available in their midst, so he did not want people to reach conclusions based on mere hearsay. That is logical, is it not ? (John 10:24-26)  The point is, our Creator likewise wants us to find out about him through our own investigation of solid evidence.  He expects us to have convictions based on facts. -Acts 17:27. 

As you might imagine, some of Jesus' countrymen did not accept him, despite ample evidence that he had the Creator's support.  Many, being preoccupied  with their position or with political goals, did not find this sincere but humble Messiah to their liking.  As his ministry drew to a close, Jesus said:  "Jerusalem, the killer of prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her,-how often I wanted to gather your children together . . . But you people did not want it. Look! your house is abandoned to you."  (Matthew 23:37, 38)  This changed situation for that nation marked a significant step in the realization of God's purpose for blessing all  nations.

Soon thereafter, Peter and three other apostles heard Jesus give a detailed prophecy about "the conclusion of the system of things."  What Jesus foretold had an initial fulfillment during the Roman attack on and destruction of Jerusalem in 66-70 C.E. History bears out that what Jesus predicted did occur. Peter witnessed  many of the very thing that Jesus foretold, and this is reflected in 1 and 2 Peter, two books that Peter wrote. -1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:7, 8;  2 Peter 3:1-3, 11, 12. 

During his ministry Jesus had patiently extended kindness to the Jews around him. But he did not shrink from condemning wickedness.  This helped Peter, and it should help  us, to understand our Creator more fully.  As he saw other things fulfilling Jesus' prophecy, Peter wrote that Christians would keep "close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah."  Peter also said:  "Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, a some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because  he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance."  Then Peter offered words of encouragement about 'new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell.'  (2 Peter 3:3-13)   Do we, as did Peter, appreciate God's qualities mirrored in Jesus, and do we manifest trust in his promises for the future? 

Next time: A Great Teacher Shows Us the Creator More Clearly - Why Did Jesus Die?

From the book: Is There a Creator That Cares About You?