Simon loved Jesus, but there needed to be more before Peter would arrive.  It took the transfiguration to put into the impulsive, unsteady, wobbling Simon the metal that would later become steel in Peter.  Yet it took much more, and finally the fire of Pentecost, to get the needed temper into the steel.  These same lips could give that splendid statement that has become the church’s foundation; and, a bit later, utter boldly foolish, improper words to Jesus; and, later yet, utter vulgar profanity, and words far worse, aye, the worst that could be said about a friend, and in that friend’s need, too.

This was a fair sample of the clay and iron, the Simon and the Peter in this man.  Yet it was with painful slowness that he had been brought up to where he is now.  Two years of daily contact with Jesus.  Slow work!  No, rapid work.  Nobody but Jesus could have done it in such a short time.  Nobody but Jesus could have done it at all.  And, mark you keenly, this man is the leader of the band of men that stand closest to Jesus.  This is the setting of the great transfiguration scene.

An Irresistible Plan.

Jesus goes off, away from the crowds, to have a bit of quiet time with this inner band of His.  Here is the strategic point, now.  The key to the future plan is in this small group.  If that key can be filed into shape, cleaned of rust, and gotten to fit and turn in the lock, all may yet be well.  The nub of all future growth is here.  With simple, keen tact He begins His questionings, leading on, until Peter responds with his splendid declaration for which the church has ever been grateful to him.  “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  It comes to Jesus’ ears as a grateful drink of cold water to a thirsty man on a hot day in a dusty road.

Then to this leader and to the inner circle, He reveals the changed plan.  For the first time the word church is used, that peculiar word which later becomes the name of the new organization, “a company of persons called out.”  He is going to build up a church upon this statement of faith from Peter’s lips, and this church will hold the relation to the kingdom of key-holder, administrator.  The church is to be a part of the administration of the coming kingdom.

And so Jesus begins His difficult, sad task of preparing this band for the event six months off in Jerusalem.  There is to be a tragedy before the building of the church which will hold the kingdom keys.  So thoroughly does Peter fail to understand Jesus, that with stupid boldness he attempts to “rebuke” Him.  Peter “took” Jesus.  A great sight surely!  He slips his hand in Jesus’ arm and takes Him off to one side to—­straighten—­Him—­out.  This Jesus is being swept off His feet by undue emotional enthusiasm.  Peter would fix it up and save the day.  It would take Peter to do that.