15 in those days peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of david concerning judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. [acts 1:15-18]
peter stood up
the journey of peter is exciting to watch. his ‘all-or-nothing’ personality had led him from skeptical fisherman, to disciple, to denier, and back to disciple.
it was not that long before this moment that peter told Jesus, “even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” [matthew 26:35]. yet it was only a matter of hours before he quickly went back on that promise, denying that he even knew Jesus [matthew 26:70].
but here we see a different strength in peter.
the old peter was determined to defend Jesus in his own way, in his own strength. the old peter went after someone with a sword in a misguided attempt to defend Jesus [john 18:10], but that moment of errant emotion quickly faded into denial and fear.
this new peter, this post-resurrection peter, found his strength in what God was doing, and anticipation of what God was about to do among them. this peter was trusting in the strength of God, leading in prayer and patience.
peter had moved on from his failures and was once again leading the disciples. peter stood up not in his own strength, not in his own passionate personality, but peter stood firm in faith, in his desire to exalt Christ and strengthen those who would soon experience the power the Holy Spirit.
~ jason soroski