Articles
Person Of The Week: Peter
There is much to be said about this great disciple and apostle of Jesus, but we will focus on his sacrificial spirit. We first meet Peter at the Jordan as an apparent disciple of John (John 1:41-42); he seems to have taken temporary leave of his fishing business to be closer to the great prophet.
Sometime later, when Jesus calls His first permanent followers, Peter and his associates “brought their boats to land ... forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:11). Thus begins a life of self-confrontation, new perspectives, severe persecution and rigorous travel.
But this was not a life of worldly achievement. Peter did not see wealth, status and power at the end of the tunnel that would make all the sacrifice worthwhile. Even he asked, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matt. 19:27). What was important to Peter was following the Lord, and any sacrifice in so doing was worth it.
We sometimes pigeonhole Peter for his impulsiveness and overlook the great sacrifice he made in giving his whole life to Jesus. Are we as generous and committed as he?
