Proofs of the Resurrection: The Life Change of Peter

The life change of Peter is the next proof of the resurrection of Jesus. My hope is that these proofs give you evidence for the Resurrection. And reasons to give to skeptics in your life who doubt Jesus’s claim to be God and Lord over our lives. In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus called Peter to be one of his 12 apostles. Peter was a fisherman when Jesus gave him the famous invitation to follow him. He said that he would make him a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19). Peter immediately dropped his nets and followed Jesus. But when Jesus died on the cross, Peter fled. He was nowhere to be found. He had even denied he knew Jesus to protect himself. Yet his life and perspective suddenly changed. Why? Peter saw a resurrected Jesus. Jesus appeared to him (1 Corinthians 15:5). At that moment, Peter knew that he was alive! He knew everything Jesus said was true. He believed that he was God. That he really was the Messiah. That death could not hold him down. Can you imagine the wonder as Peter pieced together the reality of the resurrection? Peter goes on to be martyred in Rome for his great faith in Jesus. Legend has it that he asked to be crucified with his face closest to the ground, for he was not worthy to die as his Lord and Savior had died. How do you explain such a dramatic life change? Someone who lied like a little child to avoid getting in trouble goes on to be martyred for the message of Jesus! Seeing the resurrected Jesus changed him forever! The Resurrection of Jesus is the proof of his divinity. Only one person has ever lived, died, been brought back to life and never died again: Jesus. Others have been raised from the dead, but have had to face death again. Jesus emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, and was born as a man (Philippians 2:7), but lived perfectly as God and became exalted and was bestowed the name above every name (Philippians 2:9). He now lives forever! Jesus is God! And worthy of all of our praise!