When I was in Elementary School, I was given a history lesson about George Washington, the Father of our Country. It was said that he never told a lie. Even as a child, he would not tell a lie. The story we heard was that his father gave him a hatchet as a gift. Washington was anxious to use it on something. He took it and cut down one of his father’s cherry trees. When his father, outraged, cried asked who could have done such a thing, young George said, “I cannot tell a lie. I did it.” Washington’s father purportedly embraced him and rejoiced that his son’s honesty was more valuable than a thousand cherry trees. Wow. That story is supposed to teach young folks that telling the truth even when punishment is inevitable is better than lying. An important lesson indeed. But did it really happen? No. It was a story made up years later by Washington’s biographer Mason Locke Weems. Why do we continue to tell that story? Because it is cute, and the message is a good one. This reminds me of the disciples. When we hear strange stories about them, we wonder if they are true and where we might find the sources. Peter for instance is who we meet at the “Pearly Gates” of heaven after we die. Peter decides if we get in. What’s with that story? How did Peter get that job? What doe we really know about Peter? Join us an John McMillan Presbyterian Church Sunday at 10 on Facebook Live when Pastor Jeff preaches “The Keeper of the Keys” and summarizes what we know and don’t know about the Apostle Peter.
Jeff at 60 