There had been a time in Peter's experience when he was unwilling to see the cross in the work of Christ. When the Saviour made known to the disciples His impending sufferings and death, Peter exclaimed, "Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee." Matthew 16:22. Self-pity, which shrank from fellowship with Christ in suffering, prompted Peter's remonstrance. It was to the disciple a bitter lesson, and one which he learned but slowly, that the path of Christ on earth lay through agony and humiliation. But in the heat of the furnace fire he was to learn its lesson. Now, when his once active form was bowed with the burden of years and labors, he could write, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

Der havde været en tid i Peters liv, hvor han ikke var villig til at ville se korset som en del af Kristi gerning. Da Frelseren gav sine disciple meddelelse om sine forestående lidelser og sin død, udbrød Peter: "Gud bevare dig, Herre. Nej, sådan må det ingenlunde gå dig!" Matt. 16,22. Peters protest skyldtes en selvmedlidenhed, som gøs tilbage fra fællesskab i lidelsen med Kristus. Det skulle blive en bitter lære for disciplen og en lære, han kun langsomt lærte, at Kristi vej på jorden førte gennem dødsangst og ydmygelse. Men i smeltediglens ild måtte han lære dette. Nu, hvor hans tidligere så kraftige skikkelse var bøjet under årene og sliddet, kunne han skrive: "I elskede, I skal ikke undre jer over den ildprøve, I gennemgår, som om det var noget mærkeligt, der hændte jer. Nej, jo mere I får del i Kristuslidelser, des mere skal I glæde jer, så I også kan glæde og fryde jer, når hans herlighed åbenbares."