Peter proved in the garden of Gethsemane that he was courageous against an
armed group when he had a sword in his hand. But that wasn’t the type of courage
that God planned for Peter. God’s plan was for one of the most courageous men
who ever lived to conquer the greatest empire the world has ever known –
completely unarmed. According to traditional sources, Peter went to Rome and started
the Christian church in that city. Peter had been charged by Jesus to feed the flock
of the church and Jesus had indicated to Peter that he would be executed in the
future. Peter was known for healing the sick and the church that Peter founded
fed the poor in the city of Rome. Peter was eventually executed as Jesus had prophesied
by the pagan Roman authorities who thought they could defeat Peter’s efforts by
killing him. Eventually, through the popularity of the church’s hospitals and
charitable activities including feeding the poor - Christianity became the
official religion of the Roman Empire.
One
unarmed man who followed the plan of God was able to peacefully conquer the
Roman Empire. Imagine what God may have planned for you!
Text citations
below from The Comprehensive New Testament
John 18:10 Then Simon
Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut
off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put
the sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given
me?”
John 21:17
...Peter was grieved because the third time he said to him, “Do you like me?”
And he said to him, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I like you.”
[Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you
were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are
old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you
where you do not wish to go.” 19 This he said to show by what death he would
glorify God. And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
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