We all love before-and-after transformations, don’t we?

The dramatic TV makeover that transforms a Plain Jane into a femme fatale.

Or the renovation that turns a dated, nondescript room into something fit for the pages of “House Beautiful” magazine.

But TV shows and magazines aren’t the only places to find dramatic makeovers.

There are astonishing before-and-after changes in the Bible, too.

One example of this is found in Peter, the brash, impulsive disciple of Jesus. A bit hot-headed, Peter was often afflicted by “foot-in-mouth” disease.

When we first meet Peter, he’s working as a fisherman. When Jesus provides the group with a miraculous catch of fish after they’d worked all night and caught nothing, Peter is scared. He says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” ((Luke 5:1-10)

The demonstration of Jesus’ holiness and miracle-working power leaves Peter shaken.

Another snapshot of Peter is seen when he and the disciples are in a boat with Jesus. A storm whips up and they are afraid for their lives; Jesus, however, is asleep. Peter and the others wake Jesus up and say, “Don’t you care that we’re about to die?” (Matthew 8:23-27)

The prospect of imminent death rattles Peter.

Our last view of Peter occurs when Jesus has been arrested. Peter skulks around to see what will become of him while at the same time trying to disassociate himself from Jesus. When a of couple servant girls insist that he was definitely a friend of Jesus, Peter doesn’t have the courage to admit it. (Matthew 26:69-74)

The possibility of getting in trouble compels Peter to clam up about the truth.

But what a difference a day makes!

I’m referring, of course, to Resurrection day!

After Jesus rises from the dead on the third day, Peter’s behaviour undergoes a sea change.

He now understands that Jesus is indeed the Messiah they had hoped for. It wasn’t a political revolution that Jesus came to enact, overthrowing the Roman occupiers, but rather a revolution in people’s hearts produced when they knew their sins were forgiven.

Peter is still passionate and confident, as before, but the fear that plagued him has now disappeared.

Remember when Peter was shaken by Jesus’ miracle of the great catch of fish? Post-resurrection, look at his prayer after being reprimanded by the Sanhedrin:

“ ‘Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:29-31)

Peter is not only calling for more miracles, he isn’t even shaken when an actual earthquake hits the area!

Or how about when Peter was in the boat on a stormy sea, and he chided Jesus for being asleep when they were facing imminent death? Fast forward to after Jesus has risen to see Peter’s changed response.

“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” (Acts 12:6-7)

Look who’s fast asleep now! An angel had to actually prod him to wake him up. His fellow disciple James had just been executed, and Peter was likely next. But he’s not afraid of imminent death now.

Lastly, compare Peter’s jumpiness and dishonesty when confronted by servant girls before the Cross to how he reacts when the religious authorities beat him up after the Cross:

“They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5:40-42)

Peter and the others aren’t afraid of the Sanhedrin even after being flogged. Instead of lying about whether he even knew Jesus, now Peter “never stopped” proclaiming the gospel. You can’t shut him up now!

What a difference a day makes!

Wouldn’t you like to experience a transformation like this? Couldn’t you use a spiritual makeover as we start a new year?

The key is believing in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for you on the Cross.

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Once you’ve done that, you’re a new creation and are being transformed bit by bit into the image of Jesus.

And that’s the ultimate makeover!

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

2 corinthians 5:17

© 2024 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.