On one stormy evening, Jesus and his disciples were on the Sea of Galilee. No doubt the disciples were terrified: People of Jesus? day feared the sea and believed it was a symbol of the abyss. Most people, including fishermen, didn?t even know how to swim.
But on that stormy night, Jesus walked onto the water—and Peter followed him! He so strongly desired to be like his rabbi that he risked drowning and stepped onto the waves. As he noticed the storm, though, Peter began to doubt himself. While he trusted the rabbi, he forgot how much the rabbi trusted him, and he began to sink.
Peter reached another point of doubt during the night when Jesus was arrested and imprisoned by Roman guards. During the pain and confusion of that night, Peter denied that he had ever known Jesus. For any other rabbi, Peter?s denial would have ended his position as a talmid.
But Jesus was a special rabbi.
After his resurrection, Jesus reinstated Peter, telling him to ?feed my sheep.? He encouraged Peter to take the role of shepherd, a role that Jesus had filled himself. And by choosing those words, he gave Peter a wonderful promise: ?Even though you?ve stumbled, you can still be like me.?
