Editorial March 19, 1990 Issue

Tears, trials, and opportunities

Ann Kenrick

The journey from fisherman to apostle was, in many ways, a long and difficult one for Jesus' disciple Peter. While he walked with Christ Jesus from the beginning and tried to obey the Master's instructions, his spiritual maturity was not always up to the demands being made on him.

Sometimes Peter's zeal outran his wisdom, as when he set out to meet Jesus walking on the sea and he was suddenly overcome by fear. He used violence at the time of Jesus' betrayal, and he actually denied the Master three times.

Yet Peter had some radiant spiritual insights along the way. He was the disciple who recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and he was with him during the most inspiring moments of Jesus' ministry. Considering the gap between the spiritual insights and personal shortcomings, it's no wonder Peter wept bitterly after his denial of Jesus. Still, he learned from his failures. In the presence of the risen Christ on the lakeshore at daybreak, Peter professed his love for Jesus three times. And he proved faithful to Jesus' request that he shepherd the Christian flock.

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