![]() ![]() ![]() Jesus helped the humble fisherman recognize the source of that witness. Those witnesses to his head and his hands would have significantly supplemented the most powerful witness provided Peter-the witness revealed to his heart. He learned that if he cast his net as the Savior directed, he would gather a great multitude of fishes (see Luke 5:1–9 John 21:5–7), that if he stepped forward with faith when the Savior bid him “come,” he too could walk on water (Matthew 14:22–33), and that if he passed the meager loaves and fishes to the multitude as the Savior instructed, the miracle of multiplication would happen under his very hands (see John 6:1–14). His logical affirmation that Jesus was the Christ would have been regularly bolstered by what he learned as he acted upon the Master’s directions. Reason alone could have provided ample intellectual evidence to Peter that Jesus of Nazareth was more than a mere man, for if he were an imposter, if he were not the very Messiah, how then could he give sight to the blind, cleanse the leper, cause the lame to walk, or raise the dead (see Matthew 11:4–5 see also John 2:11 10:25 20:30–31)? That is to say his testimony, like ours today, came through his head, his hands, and his heart. But perhaps Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John also speak so often and intimately of Peter’s association with Christ because they hoped that as we come to love and understand Peter, we will be more ready and able to accept his special witness of Christ-a testimony that he seems to have been carefully prepared to bear.Īs Peter accompanied Jesus through his mortal ministry, the Apostle’s witness and testimony that the Master was the Messiah seems to have been acquired through the intellectual, practical, and revelatory experiences afforded him. Many of us assume that so much attention is given to Peter in the Gospels because he became the spokesman and chief among the Apostles. In their accounts they appear to purposely preserve more of his experiences and conversations with Jesus than with any of the other original Twelve. Perhaps the Gospel writers want us to make this personal connection with Peter. We weep with him for the shame of his thrice-made denial (see Matthew 26:69–75 Mark 14:66–72 Luke 22:54–62 John 18:15–27), grieve with him at Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:36–46 Mark 33–37), and join in his joy and wonder at the empty tomb (see John 20:1–10). We appreciate his awe at the Transfiguration (see Matthew 17:1–13 Mark 9:2–9 Luke 9:28–36). We feel the desperation in his cry, “Lord, save me,” as his feet and faith faltered on the turbulent waters that night on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22–33). ![]() ![]() We understand his confusion over the meaning and message of parables (see Matthew 15:15–16). We admire his courage as he forsook all, “straightway” leaving his nets as the Master beckoned, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18–20 see also Luke 5:1–11). The Apostle Peter is beloved by believers-perhaps because he seems so authentic and approachable to us. Hopkin (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2014), 13–26. Ball, “‘Whom Say Ye That I Am?’: Peter’s Witness of Christ,” in The Ministry of Peter, the Chief Apostle, ed. ![]()
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