Life has its twists and turns, and places requiring us to pivot. The Bible provides some insights on the matter. How so? Jacob, David and Peter each experienced a series of powerful encounters with God. Peter’s experiences were of a very significant type—as he walked face to face with Messiah Jesus through the greatest parts of His earthly ministry.
As you reflect on Peter, keep in mind your own journey through life, specifically the challenges, twists and turns you may have experienced. Think of how you responded through the turns; and how you might possibly make adjustments at future pivot points.
So consider that some turns are wide; that they take time—some months or even years—to traverse through shifts. Others are very sharp; they require acute and immediate turns. They are pivot points. The pivot marks a very direct change of course. It requires an intentional and rapid shift that alters our course of direction.
To proceed through the pivot successfully we must seek God with all our heart and discern as best as we can His purposes. Why? The pivot place is a place God designed to help us come into alignment with His greater and higher purposes. So at the pivot place we must make crucial adjustments—in how we think and act—and will to walk.
Peter can teach us some key lessons. So imagine yourself walking alongside Peter with Jesus. As you do, we will look at four particular pivot places.
The Pivot Place of Purpose
We first see Peter encountering Jesus at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus literally accosts Peter and his brother, Andrew. He makes such an impact that they both pivot. They immediately drop what they are doing and turn to follow Jesus. They sense something huge; a greater purpose in life beyond the surface of their vocation.
Putting yourself in Peter’s place, you can walk through the region of Galilee with Messiah Jesus, hearing profound truths and experiencing something greater than mortal life! You can hear the heart piercing words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, reflect upon the challenges of the Beatitudes, experience miracles of healing and be instructed and trained in regards to prayer, faith and the many dynamics of the Kingdom of God.
Through his active engagement with Jesus, Peter learned the difference between asserting what is right in one’s own eyes according to one’s own interpretations (dogmatism), judging according to the letter of the law (legalism) and the spirit of God’s righteousness and justice, grace and truth (Psalm 89:14).
Peter learned how God looks beyond our outward actions and upon the deeper motivations of our heart, for they reflect our true character. He gleaned insights into the dynamics of the Kingdom of God (cause and effect; how’s and why’s). He learned of the Father’s nature, witnessing the loving-kindness, faithfulness, wisdom and power of God, which is released in and through us by the Holy Spirit.
Peter grew by listening to Jesus and watching him closely. Through their continued interaction and engagement, however, Peter came to realize how Jesus saw deep into his heart and soul. He knew Peter more than Peter knew himself. From such a perspective, He could help Peter dig deep within and discover the treasures within him and his deeper purposes in life. Jesus ultimately helped Peter see himself in a new light: his real identity.
Jesus knew the gifts within Peter and purposes for which he was called. He knew his destiny. He knew he could walk in greater capacity, operating from a foundational framework of God’s grace and truth, focusing on serving others from a right heart and mindset in God’s love and authority.
From the first day Peter pivoted and started walking with Jesus, he experienced progressive inner strengthening and growth of his faith. He gradually learned to apply his faith, and with courage, one day even stepped out of the boat and walked on water (for a few moments). But he came to learn the value of pursuing God; and in turn, finding His greater purpose in life.
The Pivot Place of Personal Revelation
In reading the Gospels we see Peter as a particularly tempestuous or fiery individual. He was quick with the tongue, quick to run and quick to react in all sorts of situations. Thing is, he had passion. With all his abrupt behaviors, he didn’t let things slide by without eventually considering and addressing the deeper issues.
At one point Jesus asked the disciples a crucial question; “Who do men say that I, the Son of God, am?” They responded with various perspectives espoused by various people of the day. He pressed them further, asking, “But who do you say that I am?” At this crucial juncture, Peter proclaimed, “You are the Messiah/Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus responded, calling Peter blessed. He acknowledged that “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Jesus then made a key point to the disciples. It would be upon apprehending this crucial revelation that heavenly authority would be conveyed.
Peter—as well as all the disciples—still had many things to learn about heavenly realities and the Kingdom of God. Peter particularly, gave them all opportunities to learn the difference between being “mindful of the things of God” and “the things of men” (Matthew 16:13-23). Paul would later expound on this topic.
These issues have long been subjects of religious debate. But God’s point remains; He—not flesh and blood—conveys heavenly authority, or spiritual anointing, upon those who have grasped hold deep inside the revelation of Messiah and truth of the Kingdom of God. Truly, it is not a matter of others proclaiming it to you. You must experience such a revelation internally birthed from within; flowing as rivers of living water of the Holy Spirit (John 4:14; 6:63; 7:38). Such a personal experience will help you pivot to greater dimensions of the new life of the Spirit.
The Pivot Place of Prophecy
At one very special place, the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, as well as John and James, experienced something profound and significant. The event served as a huge transition point. Put yourself in their shoes. See how they had an opportunity to link to the relevance of the historic past and pivot towards their glorious future.
On the one hand this event provided a juncture to pause and reflect on what they had previously known about God’s interaction with the children of Israel, particularly as it related to Moses and Elijah. It also marked a time to shift gears and prepare for the lessons Jesus would relate concerning their future; and not just their future, but the future of God’s interactions with mankind! They were about to get a huge upgrade on the revelation of the reality of the Kingdom of God.
They knew Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets; the primary components of the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament. Moses led the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt. He was God’s man of deliverance. Elijah represented the prophets, who foretold of Israel’s future redemption as well as a coming Messianic age. He moved in the miraculous power of God.
What else could they have thought about pertaining to what Moses and Elijah represented? Think about who followed each one. Joshua followed after Moses, and Elisha followed after Elijah. Moses led the people out of bondage, but Joshua (same Hebrew name as Yeshua—Jesus) led them into the land of promise. Elijah was most noted for bringing the people to a central place to encounter God, but Elisha did twice as many miracles, touching people in a variety of places and contexts.
The key point to grasp hold of is that the nature and scope of the ministries of Elisha and Joshua were very different than their predecessors, and the effects of their ministries were more far-reaching. Their lives represented a new way and order of ministry. How much more would this mean after the power of the Holy Spirit would be released to all who would receive it?
This experience would grow on Peter. As Jesus continued to reveal the love of the Father and power of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s life would continue to undergo a huge transformation. It would pivot in a way that would reveal the glory of God in very real ways.
The Pivot Place of Pentecost
As Peter continued to engage with Jesus he would experience opportunities that stirred his emotions and tried his faith. One was the opportunity to deny Jesus three times as He was brought to trial.
So you can imagine how stirred he was the day he ran to see the empty tomb after His resurrection. Then later, Peter was given the opportunity to eat a special meal with Jesus in Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee. At that intimate moment he experienced great redemption and restoration, as Jesus gave him the opportunity to three times declare his great love for Him.
That experience deeply touched his heart. It gave him a huge dose of encouragement. He could now receive the Lord’s commission to feed and tend His sheep. He could now walk in greater faith; and in the greater love and compassion of God. He could now represent God in a greater way. He could now step into his greater purposes—and into His greater inheritance.
Then came the day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks/Harvest—or Shavuot, as prescribed in the Hebrew Scriptures). Peter and the disciples had been in the upper room with a new sense of anticipation; praying and awaiting the promise of the Lord as instructed. Then, a greater pivot beyond their imagination occurred! The Holy Spirit was poured out in an amazing way. Responding, Peter, filled with joy and the new power of the Holy Spirit, delivered the sermon which has stirred souls ever since.
What stirred the hearts of the multitudes? For sure, the anointing of the Holy Spirit! Peter exhibited a “this is that” anointing. He connected key dots. On the one hand, he connected the dots of the Old Testament prophecies of David, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Joel.
More specifically, he related to the people within the context and perspective of God’s covenant. He related the greater purposes and intents of God, and Father’s promise of the outpouring and infilling of the Holy Spirit. He also connected the dots in relating to the triune nature of God.
What’s notable is how the people responded. Acts 2:37-39 says, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart” and asked, “what shall we do?” Peter replied, citing the three key distinctives of the New Covenant that will chart the believer’s course: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter was revealing the higher purpose of repentance: to turn one towards the love and grace of the Father’s covenant order and values, immerse you in the amazing grace of Christ’s redemption and empower you to flow in the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Peter’s books reflect the transformation he experienced. His books articulate the importance and value of growing in the nature of Christ and living the new life of the Holy Spirit.
Allow his messages and instruction to help you grow in the new life of the Spirit in Christ and be sensitive to pivots God may ordain. Peter experienced huge doses of grace and great transformation. So can you.
All believers immersed in the Holy Spirit have the opportunity to walk with Jesus in a dynamic way, connect and communicate with the Father in a more intimate way and move in the power of the gifts of the Spirit! May you be blessed as you do.
REFERENCES
Leviticus 23:15-22; John 21: 1-19; Acts 2; Joel 2:28-32; Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 11:19; Jeremiah 31:31-37