Categories: Characters in the Bible
Mark 1
Simon Bar Jonah one day whilst fishing
Looked up. saw Jesus. Heard Him calling
“Come, be my disciple; follow me now
You can fish for people. I’ll teach you how.”
At once, with brother Andrew, he got up to go
Followed Jesus along the shore.
Luke 5
One morning after a hard days night
Simon was fed up –no fish-not a bite
Jesus was preaching but saw his plight
Said “Go out deeper and let down your net
You’ll get many fish your greatest catch yet.
Simon said “Master we worked hard all night
Didn’t catch a thing – but if you say so
We will try again.
This time the nets begin to tear
With so many fish – they were in despair
Shouted for help from other boats
They couldn’t keep themselves afloat.
When Simon saw the amazing catch
He fell to his knees, “Lord leave me please.”
Awestruck before Christ’s majesty
He says again, “Lord depart from me.”
Then Jesus spoke “Simon, don’t be afraid
From now on you’ll catch people, as I said.”
As soon as the boats came to the shore
Simon and the others left everything.
Matthew 16
Yes, left everything to follow the Lord.
Arriving in Caesarea Philippi one day
Jesus asked the disciples “who do men say
That the Son of Man can be”
Well, some say Elijah others Jeremiah
Or a prophet or John the Baptister.
Jesus looked at them all & asked again
“But who do you, all you, say I am?”
They all remained silent except Simon Peter
“Son of the Living God, the Messiah.”
“You are blessed, Simon son of John
For you did not learn this from anyone
But my Heavenly Father revealed this to you
So upon this rock I will build my Church
And I’ll give you the keys to my kingdom too.”
However, not long after Peter’s wondrous confession
Jesus had to say to him “ Get away Satan
You are only thinking as most men do
Not seeing things from God’s point of view
If you really want to be my follower
Deny yourself and put your cross on your shoulder.
Matthew 17
Six days later on a mountain high
Whilst the three disciples were wondering why
Jesus’ face started shining – dazzling bright
And his clothes became as white as light.
Wanting to freeze the moment just then
Peter proposed building three small tents
One each for Jesus, Elijah and Moses
But while he still went burbling on
A very bright cloud came over and down
A voice from the cloud was clearly heard
“This is my Son;” it was God’s final word.
“Make sure you stop and listen to Him.”
The terrified three fell face down on the ground
Jesus stood them up and when they turned round
They saw no one else but JESUS.
2 Peter 1
Many years later in his second letter
Peter recalled this moment of majestic splendour.
After the very last supper was eaten
And Jesus had told how he would be beaten
Tortured, mocked, spit on; crucified too
Peter said “Lord I’ll die with you.”
“Oh Simon, Simon I have something to say
Before the cock crows the very next day
You will deny that you ever knew me,
But I have prayed for you Simon, my friend
That your faith won’t fail; you’ll turn to me again.”
When all Jesus said about Peter came true
There was really only one thing he could do
He left the courtyard and wept in distress
Jesus called me a rock but I failed; I’m a mess.
John 21
Sometime later after Jesus had risen
Simon Peter said “I’m going fishing”
“We’ll come too” several others replied.
They fished all night, they really tried
But once again they caught nothing.
At dawn, Jesus standing on the beach
Called out “Friends have you caught any fish?”
Wearily, “no, not one” they replied
“Then let down the net on the right hand side”
So they did but couldn’t draw in the net
There were so many very big fish in it.
“It’s the Lord”, John said & when Peter heard
He put on his tunic and jumped overboard.
As he swam closer and closer to the shore
He could see his Lord there with a charcoal fire
And his mind flew back to another evening
When his Lord sadly turned and looked at him.
There on the shore they ate fish and bread
And after breakfast Jesus gently said
Simon Son of John “Do you love me?”
“You know I do Lord,” “Then feed my lambs; my sheep.”
Then he said again “Come follow me”
(Just as three years before by Lake Galilee)
And I’ll make you a fisher of men.”
Acts 2
Now when the day of Pentecost came
And the Holy Spirit was given
Peter boldly stood up to preach
Supported by all the Eleven
With great courage he looked around and said
Jesus Christ who you crucified is not dead
But very much alive
Each of you must turn from your sin
Turn to God – be baptized
In the name of Jesus Christ.
About 3000 people believed that day
The New Covenant relationship was on it’s way.
Acts 3
One afternoon as they went to pray
Peter said to a lame man-I’ve nothing to give
But in the name of Jesus get up; walk away
He immediately did and started to praise
And Peter explained what God had done
And that wonderful times of refreshing would come.
Acts 10
One day in a vision God showed Peter for sure
That he must never call anyone impure
That everyone can have peace with God
By believing in Jesus Christ, the Lord.
As Peter became an older man
He remembered how it all began
How Jesus had said by Lake Galilee
“Leave your nets. Come. Follow me.”
How he was changed from a stone to a rock
When he called Jesus Christ the Son of God.
1 Peter 1:1
In a letter he wrote he explained it all
How he gradually changed after Jesus’ call.
“I’m no longer just Simon from Galilee
I am Peter an apostle of Jesus – you see
I know I am nothing – Christ is my all
He lifts me up whenever I fall
I now follow Him wherever He leads
I’ve become a fisher and carer of people indeed.
I’m at peace with God; still growing in grace
Till one day in heaven I’ll meet face to face
With Jesus Christ my Lord, The Rock.
