Zeal is Good

“He rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns’ ” (Mark 8:33, all scriptures from NIV).

— Keith Belhumeur

The Scriptures offer numerous examples of godly individuals who, despite their greatness, struggled to align their human perspective with divine instruction. Even the most faithful servants can find themselves relying on their own logic rather than waiting on the Lord.

Simon Peter is a poignant example of this struggle. Though he was a man of great faith and action, his zeal was not always tempered by knowledge. His zeal to see the Lord’s work done led him to force it along by human reasoning and effort, without considering divine wisdom and purpose.

Let us consider how his journey from impulsive enthusiasm to spiritual maturity provides a developmental pattern for us all. Simon was neither weak-minded nor spiritually ignorant. He and his brother Andrew appear to have greatly anticipated the time of the Messiah prophesied by Daniel. While they had likely encountered Jesus previously through the witness of John the Baptist, a pivotal moment occurred when Simon allowed Jesus to teach from his fishing boat. Simon’s engagement and interest led him to witness the amazing miracle of a massive fish haul.

Simon’s response, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” showed he was keenly aware of his unworthiness. But Jesus recognized his strong character, “From now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:1-11). The miracle confirmed their hopes and sparked an awakening in Simon and Andrew. They left everything and followed him.

The Confidence of Flesh

Jesus publicly recognized Simon’s stability and steadfastness when he changed his name to Peter — “a rock” or “stone”¹ (Matthew 16:13-20). Later, at Caesarea Philippi, Peter lived up to his new name by boldly proclaiming that Jesus was “the Messiah, the son of the living God.”

Jesus declared, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” In this poignant moment, Jesus emboldened Peter by informing him that upon this truth, he would build his Church.² Further, Jesus declared that the gates of Hades³ would not prevail against it. This gesture elevated Peter to a perceived leadership role among the Apostles.

(1) Strong’s word G4074, Petros — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle: — Peter, rock.
(2) Strong’s word G1577, ekklesia — a calling out, meeting, especially a religious congregation: — assembly, church.
(3) Strong’s word G86, hades — place or state of departed souls, grave, hell.

How empowering and momentous. Yet, these interactions seem to have sparked a natural confidence within Peter, emboldening him to rely on his own judgment. Bound by the limitations of a natural man, Peter’s untempered zeal began to surface in his forward attitude.

A series of events began to unfold. For the first time, Jesus shared the difficult concept that he must suffer and die. Driven by deep affection but lacking spiritual insight, Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked his own master, saying, “Never Lord! he said. This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22).

Peter’s rebuke required a great deal of misdirected courage. Peter was protective, but he was blocking the very purpose of Jesus’ mission. Jesus properly responded with a humbling rebuke, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Matthew 16:23).

Jesus went on to explain that his disciples must deny themselves (Matthew 16:24). This should have been a clue to Peter that his natural human reasoning was at odds with the spiritual reality of their situation. It is not difficult to find ourselves overcharged and tempted to mix human reasoning with spiritual matters when we do not discern the will of Jehovah.

Peter and the apostles’ lack of discernment surely stemmed from their expectation that the Messiah would immediately establish an everlasting kingdom. They did not realize the nature of Jehovah’s far-reaching plan for the Jewish people, the world, and, especially for the body of Christ. Peter’s lack of spiritual discernment and maturity would change, and from his growth, we may find patterns for our own path.

Merely Human Concerns

Many of Peter’s experiences reveal that he also did not understand the fullness of God’s plan and the future restitution for all mankind! (Luke 19:44, Acts 3:21). He did not yet “possess” the holy Spirit and viewed his walk with Jesus from a worldly perspective, framed by his expectation of an imminent Kingdom. Despite Peter’s fleshly shortcomings, within him were other good qualities that would prove to be fertile ground for the growth of the Gospel.

Peter was not alone; many with him thought the same way; it was not necessarily spiritual weakness; they simply did not understand the purpose and operation of Jesus’ first advent, nor the breadth of Jehovah’s plan for all mankind.

Blinded by the expectation of glory, it was impossible for Peter and the others to discern the necessity of the ransom — the death of Jesus. They could not yet see that the crown must be preceded by the cross, and the establishment of the kingdom, not by immediate conquest, but in Jehovah’s due time.

Consider the following gaps in Peter’s understanding. At the transfiguration vision, Peter suggested they build three shelters or booths. Perhaps this stemmed from the common human impulse to substitute activity for attention — to do rather than reverently hear the Son of God. God responded from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him” (Mark 9:2-7).

This pattern of misunderstanding continued in the upper room. Peter revealed his confusion during a teaching moment when Jesus washed each apostle’s feet. “No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet” (John 13:5-9). While likely motivated by reverence, Peter’s refusal showed he did not yet grasp Jesus’ intended lesson of servitude.

Jesus explained, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Knowing Peter would fully understand later, Jesus answered that unless he was washed, Peter could have no part with Him (John 13:7-8).

Peter’s submission is shown in his request for Jesus to wash his feet, hands, and head, not realizing he was foretelling his own future. Peter would indeed be washed by the words of Jesus and remember all things at Pentecost, through the baptism of the holy Spirit.

Consider Peter’s worldly thinking when he asked how many times he must forgive. Jesus responded with a parable that subtly reveals that the purpose of his entire mission concerned the forgiveness of sin (debt) and how those who have received forgiveness should forgive others. “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22). Peter’s internal struggle with his worldly perspective continued.

In another instance, Peter marveled that it was difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom. His conclusions were self-centered and merely human. Peter responded, “We have left everything to follow you!” (Matthew 19:27). He added, “What then will there be for us?”

Then, Jesus offered Peter some comforting promises of future glory, inheritance, and eternal life (Matthew 19:27-30). But from his experiences with Jesus, Peter learned that his service must not be motivated solely by the expectation of personal glory.

Neither should our expectation of glory be our main motivation. Pastor Russell exhorted, “We are to lay aside any desire to be chief so far as ambition for personal glory is concerned. We are to seek to serve the Lord the best we know how … doing all we can to further the Lord’s cause. And this service should be prompted by love. Any service not prompted by love is not acceptable in the sight of the Lord.”⁴

(4) R5793, “Have No Ambition For Personal Glory”

A Life Lesson

Peter’s experience is a cautionary tale for every believer. He was not deficient or unworthy; he was simply human, like us. While his reactions were often carnal, his single-minded desire to be part of Messiah’s work was surely noticed and loved by both Jehovah and Jesus.

Peter’s impetuous struggle with fleshly thinking made him a target of Satan (1 Peter 5:8). His experiences teach us that Satan monitors our character shortfalls as vulnerabilities and seeks to corrupt. A lack of discernment in us is our Adversary’s opportunity.

Jesus explained this to Peter, saying, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).

Jesus did not pray that Peter be spared the sifting, for the trial was necessary to crush human pride. Instead, he prayed that Peter’s faith would survive and be used to strengthen others.

Yet, at the time, Peter remained oblivious to his own spiritual frailty. Blinded by the very self-assurance that needed to be sifted, he did not understand Jesus’ statement, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter followed with a reasonable question but ended with a bold statement that highlights his untempered, heartfelt zeal. “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus responded with a sobering answer, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:37-38).

This interaction should prompt us to consider our own answer. Would we really lay down our lives for Jesus? Like Peter, could we disown Jesus when under extreme worldly pressure? Might we carry the same intellectual pride as Peter? Yes, of course we could. We are of the same fallen flesh, and these dangers are real.

Peter gives us one last example of his untempered zeal before learning a life lesson. When in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night Jesus was betrayed, Peter boldly drew his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. He was willing to fight for Jesus, but he was not yet willing to fully suffer with Him. His sword was drawn in defense of the man, but unwittingly in opposition to Jehovah’s divine plan.

While understanding Peter’s motive to protect him, Jesus also understood his own mission. Jesus rebuked Peter’s willingness to use violence, but then lovingly appealed to his sense of duty, to not block him from doing Jehovah’s will. Jesus implored him, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:10-11).

Peter’s faith journey is a powerful example for us. The lesson? Jehovah also understands our weaknesses and uses them to foster our development and growth.

Like Peter, there is a danger in letting our understanding of Jehovah’s plans be limited by our human perspective. Let us learn to grow into humility (Proverbs 16:18). Peter’s process of sifting and failure was a journey that humbled his natural zeal, for his own good and for ours (Romans 8:28).

Peter’s journey from the self-assurance of “I will lay down my life” to the humble submission of “Lord, you know that I love you” is our journey as well. Let us lay aside the tendency to counsel the Lord with our own reasoning and instead, take up the mantle of humble service and love that seeks only God’s will.

Our Lord’s admonition to the church of Laodicea warns against the very height of zeal without knowledge — thinking we are “rich and increased with goods” while remaining spiritually destitute (Revelation 3:17-19). Let us learn from Peter’s struggle.

True spiritual maturity is not about how much we know, but how we use our knowledge to fully submit our human reasoning and will to God. Let us remain humble throughout our own faith journey, and seek Jehovah’s sovereign will in all things (Psalms 2:11).