Dissin' Peter?

Great post at The Thinklings on the tendency of Bible teachers, preachers and others to make fun of Peter;s impetuous nature:

Something written elsewhere today reminded me of something Simon Peter once said. You know Simon Peter: he's been the subject of a million chortling observations among Christians for ages. You've heard it, and probably said it. "Good ol', dumb ol', impulsive, talks-before-he-thinks Simon Peter".

I don't make fun of Simon Peter anymore. Just a few reasons below:

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

- John 6:66-69

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

- Matthew 16:15-16

Just those two pretty much do it for me. Peter had some faults, but sometimes he just nailed it. It's times like that when I realize I'm not worthy to untie his shoes.

Also, Peter may have sunk when he took his eyes off from Jesus - but he did take a few steps walking on water, and no one else got out of the boat! The sum total of people in the history of man who have walked on water: Jesus and Peter. Pretty good company!