Several times I have heard Peter called "the big fisherman." I can't find such a Biblical reference. Must be the movie of that title starring Howard Keel.
I have also heard the laughter associated with his name. What could be funnier than one who betrayed Christ? None of us would have yielded to the pressure Peter was under. That Peter wept bitterly later is often left off--it not being funny.
I have heard a pastor mention Peter, then shake his head. We must never make a resolve, then fail to keep it. Of course we never do. But Peter was unforgivingly human. He did not follow through, like we always do.
Sometimes a congregation will join a pastor in his laughter. After all, the head man is laughing, we should too. I prefer the Bible to any preacher.
In the Bible we see Peter as the one who recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. We see the only disciple who walked on water, who witnessed the transfiguration, and to whom are given the very keys of heaven.
But these facts are not funny. We won't mention them.
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