I Wonder How Peter Took Criticism

Chew on this...

Galatians 2
11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"


Sweet Fancy Moses! Paul just laid the spiritual smack down on our boy Peter. Not only did Paul call out Peter to his face, but in front of "THEM ALL". 

This week I've been wondering how Peter took this beat down. I wonder if he shot back at Paul with "Dude, did you walk with Jesus? I mean like...literally walk with Him?" Or, "where were you when Jesus was killed, hanging with us after the resurrection, and then floated up to heaven?" 

After all, this was the guy Jesus had the most intimate of conversations with. The one Jesus appears to have poured Himself into most through His teaching and actions. This guy ate with Jesus and probably slept a few feet from him for three years. 

But, maybe Peter was even more aggressive in his come backs. Maybe he said, "Now where were you when Stephen was stoned and we were all be persecuted... Oh, yeah, I forgot you were there doing the killing!" At first I bristle at such a thought, but I don't think I would put anything past Peter. Peter never really employed the "5 second" rule and thought before he spoke. 

I have no idea how Peter responded to this rebuke by Paul. It must have been hard to get rebuked by someone younger then him in the faith (maybe physically younger as well). Peter was the first Christian rock star and now another guy has come along to help lead the way. It must have been hard for Peter...

I like to think that in this moment some of Christ's teaching became very clear to him. "Ohhh so that's what He meant by 'new wine into new wine skin.'" I like to think that Peter laid his pride down and hugged the stuffing out of Paul and the Gentiles there and apologized to them all. I like to think that Peter didn't lord over anyone his experience but listened to everyone with a humble heart and loving spirit. 

You can't read 1st or 2nd Peter and walk away thinking that Peter wasn't changed over time. I guess I like to think that anyone can change after enough time and enough beat downs. 

I guess there is still hope for me and the rest of us "Peters".