Rockin' with Pete

People: Peter

During my Master's, a good friend sent me a BuzzFeed article: Which Disciple Are You? I wanted to be John, the beloved one, so I manipulated the answers until I got that result. I sent it to my friend, and she responded almost immediately, "Yeah, right." The truth: we both knew I was a Peter even without the quiz. Often first to speak, first to act, and first to get things wrong, what Peter lacks in wisdom he makes up for in earnestness. 

So, who was Peter, one of Jesus' inner-circle disciples?

One of the oldest icons of St Peter (6th century) is located at St Catherine's monastery in Egypt. Notice the keys in his right hand representing the keys to the kingdom given to him by Jesus (Matt. 16:19). Above him are Mary, Jesus, and John. Why John? Probably because he's the loved one...

Quick facts: Andrew's brother, married, left a fishing business when Jesus called him to come fish for people, AKA Simon but also goes by "the Rock," and most likely from Capernaum.

As the de facto spokesperson throughout the Gospels, we often learn what the group thinks through Peter's words. Peter also famously has some real blunders: he rebukes Jesus for saying he must go and die (then gets called Satan, yikes), tries to build shelters at the Transfiguration instead of listening, cuts off a man's ear at the Garden of Gethsemane, and denies Jesus thrice.

But that's not the totality of Peter's story; our worst moments never are. 

Peter also had enough faith to leave everything and follow Jesus, get out of the boat, and lead the early church despite hostility from all sides. Peter's story reminds us that God continues to work on us, helping us mature. 

After Peter denied Jesus three times near a charcoal fire, Jesus invited Peter to come sit again at a charcoal fire. Jesus asks Peter not once, not twice, but three times: "Do you love me?" This three-fold restoration almost peels back each of Peter's denials, reminding him and us, in light of Jesus, that our worst moments can come undone in light of the Gospel. 

What's the "so what?" of Peter's story? If you completely blow it, just absolutely fail miserably, that doesn't have to be the end of the story. There's a love greater than our mistakes, and it's found in Jesus. So, turn to him, and find the healing and grace that awaits. 

PS: I tried to find the BuzzFeed quiz, but it's not defunct. Here is a different one. If you got John, I'm happy for you...side eye.