Christ Jesus referred to himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and Christians all over the world devote time and energy to learning how to follow his example. In addition, learning about Jesus’ immediate disciples can be especially helpful in the quest to be better students of Christ.
In reading the Gospels, we may find ourselves inspired by the disciples’ willingness to give up their own pursuits to follow Jesus. However, we may also be dismayed at their inability to stay true to him at the end of his ministry. For example, as many Bible readers will recall, Peter denied even knowing Jesus shortly before Pilate condemned the Master to death.
How could Peter at one time correctly identify Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), and later deny even knowing the man? Well, one answer might be that he was afraid of what would happen if he admitted to knowing Jesus. But I think there could be more to it than that. Peter’s life reveals the deep struggles, and brave triumphs, of a disciple who sincerely wants to stand resolutely in his decision to follow the Christ.
