He’s not one, single thing. He’s so multifaceted; he’s a fisherman and he also reroutes his entire life to try out being a disciple. He is earnest and eager and passionate. Maybe sometimes he’s filled with bravado and sometimes he’s driven by ego. And sometimes he learns how to surrender—to let go. He loves passionately—and he resists vulnerability. So many of us can see ourselves in his story.
Peter seems to have a sense of urgency about his faith and his desire to get closer to Jesus. Peter is the one who says, “Not just my feet, but my head and my hands.” Peter is the one who crawls out of the boat. Peter seems on a mission to go deeper and to connect with Christ. I personally often feel that urgency. I want more, I want deeper, I want closer. Especially during Lent.
Peter gives us a lens for Jesus that is very friend-like. Obviously he looks up to Jesus and Jesus is a mentor figure, but also they are close. I am really honored to see through the eyes of someone who knew Jesus well.
The fervor with which he pursues what he believes. Throughout my formative years, I was taught the “right” words to say and the way to act like I knew what I was talking about, regardless of my actual understanding. I think Peter has several breakthroughs, but his actions don’t always follow his words. But I’m compelled by him, because he offers us an earnest picture of what being a real human is—doing his best to grasp the un-graspable.
I find Peter really relatable in his denials and during Easter. He’s so bold and brave many times before—but all of those times were when he was with Jesus, when he was with someone who loved him unconditionally. When he’s warming himself by the fire, it’s a lot harder to make those big, bold declarations. And when the women come and tell the news of the resurrection, he has enough hope to go see for himself. He’s a little quieter in those instances—and I relate to that desire to blend in and be invisible. It’s a lot easier to be big and bold and brash when you’re with people you know love you.
I see Peter as someone willing to ask the questions everyone might be thinking but too afraid to ask out loud.
Peter seems both a caricature and as real as they come.
I often preach about how God works through the most ordinary, flawed, imperfect people to do God’s work. Peter is a great example of this. He’s just his authentic “real” self, and for Jesus, that’s enough.
Peter makes me hopeful as a disciple of Jesus because he wasn’t perfect but he gave Jesus his all. If he could do it, perhaps I can too.
It is intriguing and hopeful that Jesus entrusts someone like Peter who is rough around the edges.
Peter rarely gets it right, but Jesus never gives up on him.
Peter is like us!
Peter usually speaks before he thinks.
I love that Peter is all in even when he is struggling.
His faith experience is so “real” from all in to all questioning/denying
Peter is so very human—but he loves Jesus!
I love how human Peter is—enthusiastic, flawed, passionate, doubting, just like all of us.
Peter has passion. He WANTS to do what Jesus wants him to do. He messes up, but he keeps trying… and Jesus loves him and uses him in great ways.
I find Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in Mark 8 a clear rebuke of us all, never mind Peter’s denial of what is happening.
He is so relatable and makes such blunders but believes and follows with his whole heart.
Peter—he is a perfect image of SECOND CHANCES in God’s eyes.
Peter’s emotions guided his actions.
I think Peter is someone we can find ourselves in, easier than other characters in scripture! He doesn’t give up—he wants to believe—even when he doesn’t get it right or understand.
Peter was REAL.
Peter is very relatable—deeply loves Jesus, yet still misses the point sometimes.
I find Peter to be multifaceted. I can relate to him in many ways.
Peter is a very fun disciple to follow because he tends to be all of us — embodying the highs and lows of faith.
I LOVE Peter—he is so human, so flawed, so multi-demensional.
He’s one of the most fully developed personalities in the gospels.
Peter is so relatable, flawed and faithful often at the same time.
I love that we don’t remember Peter’s mistakes/bad points first most of the time.
I find Peter really compelling because I think the work he did to keep the church alive in the earliest years gets underestimated. He must have been a hugely compelling person for others to join with in that early Jesus movement.
He jumps in with quick answers and joy and he makes mistakes; he is genuine.
Peter: impetuous.
One wonders if Peter was (formerly) a Zealot (the freedom fighters)?
I relate to Peter’s passion to speak immediate truth from his heart.
He is all over the place, has great intentions, loves Jesus, wants to serve, lets himself down and learns from it.
Peter’s earnest heart.
Peter, a complex human, as we are all.
Peter is very human with an array of emotions as he seeks Jesus.
Peter wants so much to get it right.
Peter is strong, impulsive, earnest… definitely relatable!
Peter likely had imposter syndrome and that resonates with me.
Peter is fallible—his humanity is very important. We can lead even through our imperfections.
Peter an archetype for all of us as disciples.
I love Peter because he’s so real. He wants so badly to do everything right, but he just can’t quite figure out how to make his desires a reality. I relate to that so much!
He continually bumps into himself despite his best intentions.
Peter is so human and vulnerable and puts it all out there.
I admire Peter’s persistence, he falls over and he gets up. He is always searching.
Peter always seems to want more, to be willing to explore!
If bombastic, impetuous, passionate, acting-first-then-thinking Peter can be used by God—then there’s hope for all of us to be useful to the Kin-dom.
Peter gives such human responses. He’s all-in, full of mistakes and passion.
Peter can appear to be and seem unafraid to “fail.”
Peter is human…reminds me that God calls imperfect and real people.
I love the paradox of Peter—the rock that is strong, but also sinks.
Peter is relatable and compelling in many ways, including Peter’s passion and exuberance, and his doubt.
I love that Peter voiced and clung to such clear expectations of Jesus, even as he confessed Jesus to be Christ. And then had to lay all of that down.
I find Simon Peter compelling because of his denial, his reconnection with Jesus, and then his openness to Cornelius.
Peter allows us a window into humanity and into our own humanity, while still watching and learning from his experience—at a safe distance. 🙂 At least initially…
