A Talk with Peter - Lent Reading: Recent Episodes
Steve Petty
Imagine that you could learn about Jesus directly from Simon Peter. This retelling of Mark's Gospel in the first person attempts to do that. Designed as a short daily reading, we hear Peter tell his story of meeting Jesus, traveling with him, and learning who Jesus is.
The Sabbath ends at sundown on Saturday, so the earliest the women can go to the tomb is Sunday at sunrise. When they do go they find the tomb occupied not by Jesus, but a young man – a messenger – who tells them to find the disciples and go to Galilee where Jesus will meet them. But they are scared witless and run away, telling no one. There is one additional note after the scripture.
Joseph of Arimathea asks for the body of Jesus, and sees that he is buried in a tomb he had prepared for himself. The two Mary’s see where the body is laid, but due to the Sabbath laws are not able to anoint the body.
The Crucifixion Circus now moves to the Cross where by-standers take turns with the priests having mock conversations with Jesus. Jesus will not save himself. Nor will he drink wine again. He cries out in pain, and he dies.
After the decision by Pilate, Jesus is taken to be flogged and crucified. But first the soldiers must enjoy their sport with him. It isn’t really that he is Jesus, it is simply that he is a Jew, and the soldiers hate the Jews. So, “the King of the Jews” is to be hated most of all. Then he is taken to Golgotha to be crucified.
After the Council reaffirms their hasty decision of the night before, the High Priest sends Jesus to Pilate and asks Rome to kill him. Pilate is reluctant, having heard that Jesus was popular with the crowds. But this crowd is controlled by the Temple Priests and will not be denied.
Peter’s most terrible moment. He denies Jesus in the courtyard of the High Priest. Three times, just as Jesus had predicted.
Jesus is led to the house of the High Priest who has decided Jesus must die. Peter follows bravely, but says nothing to anyone. Jesus proclaims himself and is condemned by the assembly.
After praying, Jesus is arrested at the Mt. of Olives. Peter is left alone as all the others run away. Everyone is angry at first, even Jesus. But everyone seems resigned to it as it unfolds. “Let it be like this then,”
On the Mt of Olives Jesus prays for deliverance while Peter, James and John fall asleep. Jesus is unhappy, and then resigned.
Finally, the day of Passover, Jesus offers them the wine and the bread and declares a new covenant with God. Then on the way to the Mount of Olives he tells Peter that he will deny Jesus three times.
Jesus is still talking about the end times when a woman comes and anoints him with costly oil. Jesus understands this as a preparation for burial, his end times are very soon. Judas is upset with Jesus and makes plans with the priests to betray Jesus.
Jesus is still talking about the End of Time. It is too terrible to imagine, and yet he speaks hopefully about his faithful. He will come and save them. But if anyone tells you they know when it will be, they are deceiving you. Even he does not know, but he will.
Jesus talks about the End of Time, persecutions will come, be ready.
Jesus understands persecution. He has predicted his own death several times. Now he warns Peter and the others.
Jesus argues with the Pharisees, he expected better of them, they had everything going for them, yet they used it for personal gain. The widow with her mite gave more from her small potential.
Jesus explains the powers of earth and the powers of heaven, though it may seem like he is talking about taxes and marriage.
Jesus continues his run-in’s with the Priests and scribes. They question his authority and he tells them a pointed story about the rich vineyard owner.
Jesus is angry, first he curses a fig tree, then he overturns the tables on the money changers.
Jesus cures Blind Bartimaeus and then rides into Jerusalem on a borrowed colt. It’s a great excuse for a party and everyone joins the parade into the city.
Jesus explains how things will go in Jerusalem, he will be tried and crucified but raised on the third day, but they do not understand. James and John argue over seating arrangements in the kingdom to come.
The Rich Young Man wants to follow Jesus, but he has too much wealth and power to give it all up.
Jesus is still teaching the disciples privately. He is boiling down the truth of the Gospel into simple bites. Take care of one another, especially the children. Don’t be distracted by the world of the body, it can lead you astray. Let the spirit lead you.
The disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. Jesus hears their argument and puts it down by inviting a child to sit with him. Whoever welcomes someone as powerless as a child will be great in heaven.
After the transfiguration Jesus is met with a upset father of a boy with a spirit like epilepsy. The father is confused, the disciples are ineffective, Jesus is frustrated, and the crowd is swelling.
Peter declares he knows Jesus is the Messiah. This pleases Jesus. But then they argue about what that means. What will it take to convince them? Then Jesus shows them who he is at the Transfiguration.
Jesus is on Peter's boat again and gets really mad at his disciples. He mocks them. After feeding 4,000 with 5 loaves, they are afraid that one loaf is not enough for 13 of them. They don’t see the connection and Jesus unleashes on them. But Peter knows who Jesus is and declares it to all.
Jesus feeds the second massive crowd, over four thousand people with seven loaves of bread and some fish and has seven baskets left over.
Then the Pharisees ask for a sign from Heaven. They want some miraculous proof that Jesus is the Messiah. Healing sick people isn’t enough. But Jesus is tired of them and refuses to give them any sign.
Two of my favorite stories: The woman who argues with Jesus and changes his mind, and the deaf and dumb man who cannot stop talking. Jesus isn’t pleased really, but he laughs it off and goes with the flow.
Again, we find the disciples confused about one of Jesus key teachings. Jesus is almost incredulous at their ignorance. But he explains it to them more simply.
Jesus has another run in with the scribes and Pharisees. They bait him with a silly question. Jesus responds with a scathing indictment of their traditions.
After feeding the 5000, Jesus again seeks some solitude, this time dismissing the crowds and the disciples, he goes for a walk by himself. But the disciples are again having trouble with the boat, and their fears get the best of them. When they make land, they are again warmly greeted by a crowd of people seeking healing, and Jesus obliges, again.
Jesus hears the good news of the disciples travels and suggests they go for a quiet retreat. But the crowds are not to be denied. So, Jesus teaches them, and then he feeds them a giant picnic dinner.Jesus hears the good news of the disciples travels and suggests they go for a quiet retreat. But the crowds are not to be denied. So, Jesus teaches them, and then he feeds them a giant picnic dinner.
Peter shares a grizzly story today, and very sad, as he tells us of John the Baptists death.
This has all the makings of a prime time tawdry tale: Money, power, influence, pride, boasting, vanity, revenge, blood, and grief beyond tears.
Today Jesus takes the disciples back to his hometown. You can almost hear him say, “Oh this will be fun, I grew up here.” But it isn’t fun. It is the people who we love the most who have the power to hurt us the deepest.
Then Jesus sends out the 12 on their own mission, with careful instructions. If you follow the recipe, you might just get good results! And they do.
Can you steal a healing? Can you sneak up on someone and steal their power? And what should happen to you if you do? Jesus has some unique answers to those questions.
There will always be some people who do not believe. They can be very negative. Jesus has to keep things positive to make a difference. The story of Jairus' daughter.
This should be called the Parable of the Good Soil. But it's about priorities, who are you paying the most attention to today?
Jesus is confronted with two different groups, his family, and the Scribes. He rebuffs one and taunts the other.
A Talk with Peter – Day 5
Today Jesus continues his “Amazing Healing Show” but also continues to infuriate the authorities. The “God of Laws” the authorities believe in is dramatically different than the “God of Love” that Jesus is teaching. Today’s healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath is a head on confrontation of these two concepts.
Jesus returns from his 40 days of temptation and immediately calls Peter, Andrew, James and John. The ministry begins.
Jesus begins his ministry by going to be baptized by John the Baptist. He leaves immediately for 40 days. When he returns he begins his ministry immediately.
A short introduction to the Lenten Devotional. This explains the basic premise of this biblical paraphrase - A Talk with Peter.