"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."-Peter, friend of Jesus

James Jacques Joseph Tissot's painting of Peter when he sees his Lord on the seashore. (15 October 1836 - 8 August 1902)


"As pastor and counselor, Peter uses the first person singular "I" to speak directly to the readers. He uses the verb to urge to express encouragement; he knows that they are able to do what he requests. Peter calls the believers "aliens," which is the designation for persons who live in a foreign country but who keep their own citizenship. They do not posses the same privileges and rights as the citizens of the country in which they live. They are "strangers" in a world that is foreign to them; they live on this earth for only a brief period; they know that their citizenship is in heaven. (Phil 3:20)"-Simon J. Kistemaker,

Peter was such a sinner:-- And Peter was such a saint; a great disciple and friend to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is one of the dearest to my heart examples, (as well as most important examples), of what a follower of Christ shall endeavor to be. [If that sentence makes sense.]
Peter denied the Lord 3 times. The third time he looked over to the side, while he was being a fearful coward, just as Jesus told he would be, and his eyes met Jesus' eyes. Wow!

Jesus catches up with Peter after His death and passion, and resurrection, and He asks Peter three times: "Do you love me Peter?" And all three times our Lord tells Peter to take care of His sheep and lambs:-To feed them and tend them. Peter is even today feeding his Lord's sheep, as we read his Epistles, which is the Word of God, which is food for our souls.

Thank You Lord for Peter. I look forward to seeing him, and thanking him. And yet, I can say even now, that we shall both look to You, and catch Your eyes once again, and this time rejoice, and give all praise and thanks to You Jesus, for it is Your grace and love which causes the goodness in us. Amen.