Simon...renamed Peter

I'm thinking about Peter. One of the twelve who was called out by Jesus. A common fisherman, called to be an uncommon Fisherman. Believer...betrayer. Faith to step out...fear causes him to sink. He's known by his extremes. But it is what makes him the loving, tender, leader-learner.

Peter is a man who utters his heart, "You are the Christ, Son of the living God." (Matt. 16:16) His heart is marked by Jesus in that moment as one that is aware of the revelations of God himself. His heart is alive and receptive to things others' hearts are not. In the face of a broken reality...that Jesus would have to suffer and die...Peter utters his heart again, "This shall never happen to you!" (Matt. 16:22) Jesus identifies Peter's heart as something very different than "in touch" with the heart of God. Peter's heart is trapped in the net of his mind and flesh.

Would Peter have responded like that if he had not first adored Christ? I think not. He saw the truth. He hated the outcome. Jesus was the truth. Jesus became the outcome. How does Peter learn to embrace this, the greatest of disappointments? Truth crucified. I'm looking for this revelation.