The classic hero’s journey of biblical Peter
If there is one Bible character who is well-drawn and who remains true to type in the Bible, it is Jesus’ disciple, Simon Peter.
Jesus called him on the shore at Capernaum as his ministry began:
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
(Mk.1:16-18)
In all four gospels, we consistently meet a man who is brash but passionate about Jesus. Some of his traits include:
Thinking he knows better than Jesus:
“Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Matt 16:22
Not shying away from recognizing Jesus for who he is:
“You are the Messiah.”
(Mk.8:29) (Also in Matthew and Luke.)
Declaring undying support and allegiance:
“Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you,”
(Mat.26:35) (Also in John.)
His deep regret for not being the pugnacious person he thought of himself as:
“And he went outside and wept bitterly,”
(Lu.22:62)
After Pentecost, we meet a Peter quite different from the gospel one. This articulate, knowledgeable and kind Peter is barely recognizable. He has become the natural leader Jesus had appointed him to be:
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
(Matt.16:17-19)
Is this change due entirely to the effect of the Holy Spirit upon Peter? Or something else?
Let’s take a look at his encounter with the Risen Jesus at the end of John’s Gospel on the same Capernaum shore as where he was first called to be a disciple. Seeing Jesus, Peter, who had been fishing:
wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water,
(Jo.21:7)
He was pretty eager!
Jesus’ purpose was to pass on the baton to Peter, but only if Peter would agree to act out of love like Jesus himself:
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
(Jo.21:15-17)
Peter’s confirmation that he would continue Jesus’ ministry was undertaken at Capernaum. Peter’s transformation had come full circle . Henceforth, we would see an altogether softer and kinder Peter, as determined as ever but wiser.
His is a textbook, three-act story, described by literature scholar, Joseph Campbell as The Hero’s Journey:
- Departure
- Initiation
- Return
A protagonist embarks upon a mission into the unknown where lessons are learned, adversity overcome, and evil is defeated. After this, the hero returns to their home, transformed by their experiences.
Peter, has ‘gone into the woods’ at Jesus’ first call on the shore at Capernaum, returning to the same spot ‘from the woods’ three years later, changed and ready to move into Part 2 of his story— his unexpected destiny of ‘feeding Jesus’ sheep’.
Luke tells us how this turns out in his Book of Acts.
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd,
(Acts.2:14)
The gospel writers are aligned in their accounts of the impetuous fisherman who became a leading voice for Jesus to both Jew and Gentile.
Have you sensed God guiding you this way? Do you have a personal Jesus story of coming full circle, changed?
Please share your story with me below.
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I find Peter’s story fascinating. He’s always been my favourite Bible character and I often feel like I married a Peter – my husband is passionately impetuous like him. 😀 Certainly I have been on a journey too, learning how my opinions of what God should be doing so often need to be reformed, or completely replaced, by God’s wisdom and grace.
I’m glad you could relate to Peter. His story is that of many of us. God bless, Natasha.
I always had a soft spot for Peter—he tells it like it is and wears his heart on his sleeve.
So relatable in his humanness and how God transformed his story like you have shown us so well.
Thank you for sharing this.
It might be interesting to do a survey as to how many Christians are Peter fans… I am one, too. I especially love his irate comment after his vision of non-Kosher animals coming down on a cloth. God tells him to kill and eat, which is especially relevant since he is hungry. “Surely not, Lord,” he declares. “I have never eaten anything unclean!”
He’s just so opinionated, isn’t he?
A lovable character, full of passion and devotion. He protects our Lord with everything in him and yet he failed in confirming that he is friend and follower of Jesus. Crying from deep within his soul with regret.
All a journey to prepare him for his ministry. I do love Peter.
Thank you Bobbie for your interesting comments on Peter’s character, I always learn from you
God bless.
When we think of the weight of guilt Peter carried for having denied Jesus, it is to me a delight to compare this with his recklessly jumping off his fishing boat into the Sea of Galilee to swim ashore in his enthusiasm to be with Jesus. He knew he was still loved, Lynne.
I’m struck by this disciple/denier/disciple… I thought on Peter recently over Good Friday’s & Easter’s scripture readings. It is such an encouraging story. Gives me something to envision ( or “Behold!”, as scripture often says) for a couple of dear, straying sons. Lord, be glorified. Use Jarrod and Aaron again, as you did Peter, to feed Your sheep. Amen
Peter, with his brave commitment and all his flaws, is an inspiration to all of us, Dana.