Introduction : It is said that a reed is easily blown by the wind, so we think that people who are changeable and easily moved are like a reed. However, a rock is different. It is so reliable and never changes or moves even if history and people change. Can a reed turn into a rock? It does not seem possible from a human standpoint, but the Lord can make it possible. Simon was a countryman like a reed who lived in a fishing village, Galilee. However, later he was changed into a rock of Christianity, a rock of history, by the grace of the Lord.


1. The Lord chose the reed
    1) Simon was a fisherman who daily lived on fishing without any goal or hope for his life.
        ○ We guess that he was (Mk 1:16-17):
        ① very sensitive    ② very capricious    ③ outgoing    ④ a devoted husband
        ⑤ uneducated and poor (Ac 4:13)
    2) The Lord called Simon, and he obeyed
        ① His brother Andrea introduced him to Jesus, and he was called (Jn 1:40-42)
        ② He was willing to accept the Lord and followed Him, leaving his own job
            (Lk 5:10-11)
        ③ When he accepted Jesus, he found a real goal and hope in his life (Jn 6:68-69)

2. Simon Peter who was like both-a rock and a reed
    1) After he confessed, "The Lord is Christ," he was praised, "You are blessed."
        However, very soon he was even called Satan since he spoke against the will of the
        Lord (Mt 16:16-18, 22-23)
    2) During the Last Supper, he refused Jesus´ washing his feet, but right away he asked
        Him to wash his head as well (Jn 13:8-10)
    3) After he said, "Even if all fall away, I will not. Even if I have to die with you, I will
        never disown you," (Mk 14:29-31)
        ① he was so bold that he cut off the right ear of Malchus with his sword at
            Gethsemane, but very soon he ran away (Jn 18:10)
        ② he fearlessly followed the Lord to the courtyard of the high priest, but he denied
            the Lord three times before a servant girl (Mt 26:70,72,74)
        ③ to save his life, he said that he did not know Jesus, cursing Him, but he went
            outside and wept bitterly (Lk 22:61-62)

3. A rock is formed only through the grace of the Lord
    1) Simon Peter in despair…he thought that he was abandoned, but he visited the tomb
        of Jesus (Lk 24:11-12)
    2) Jesus came to Simon Peter who disowned Him…salvation comes from the
        love of the Lord (Lk 24:34)
    3) Simon Peter could not stand the sense of guilt, went back to Galilee, and worked
        again as a fisherman (Jn 21:3,7)

4. The process of being changed into a rock
    1) He denied the Lord three times and confessed that he loved Him three times…agape,
        phileo
    2) He reconfirmed a mission for the Lord: "Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep.
        Feed my sheep" (Jn 21:15-17)
    3) Follow me…when we disown ourselves and only follow the Lord, we like a reed are
        changed into a rock (Jn 21:18-19)



Conclusion : We are all wandering about in confusion between Simon like a reed and Peter like a rock. When we believe in Jesus according to our own flesh and mind, we are always like a reed. However, when we realize how weak we are during trouble and suffering and become willing to depend on the Lord and only follow Him, we are changed into a rock.