Day 8 – Peter's Teachability - Brethren in Christ U.S.

January 12, 2025

Amber Supplee and Bishop Heather Beaty, Susquehanna Conference

Scripture meditation: John 6:68-69

All three of my (Amber) children are involved in sports. My daughters have been in dance since they were very little, and my son has played baseball for three seasons. I impress on them the need to be coachable, willing to take corrections from their coaches and able to maintain a good attitude. They can’t approach the sport thinking they know all or that they do everything perfectly.

My oldest is a perfectionist, and struggled with receiving corrections from her dance teacher. She got down on herself, thinking that she was doing everything wrong, was a lousy dancer, and should just quit. Thankfully, her teacher pulled her aside and told her, “I give you corrections because I know you are ready to handle them. If I didn’t think you could make the change, I wouldn’t say anything.” My daughter now actively seeks correction not only in dance, but also as she started volleyball this year.

Being teachable is vital as we follow Jesus in our daily lives. As his followers, we need to be “set apart” from the world around us. That takes a humble spirit that seeks to be changed and corrected by the Teacher. Peter allowed himself to be changed by Jesus, even though there were times he appeared rather hardheaded. (He rebuked Jesus when Jesus told his disciples that he would die for them and claimed he would never deny Jesus, though we know that he did just that on the night before Jesus’ death.) However, Peter stayed and followed Jesus.

We read in John 6 that many people followed Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. They wanted to see more miracles. Jesus acknowledged that fact and then gave them a hard teaching about what following him actually meant: giving up everything else, learning from him, and entering into his death so we can be redeemed and restored.

This teaching upset a lot of people, so they turned and left. Jesus looked at his disciples to ask if they would also leave. Peter replied: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God,” (John 6:68-69). Peter knew that only Jesus was worthy of following completely.

In future texts, we see Peter accept correction from Jesus. Peter becomes the “rock the church is built on” because he spent years being teachable and learning from Jesus. Being teachable is fundamental to our spiritual growth.

Prayer

Lord, we thank you for your deep love for us that compels you to give us correction so we can become more like you. We pray that our hearts remain soft and moldable in your presence. Continue to shape our lives, Lord. Amen.