BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY - Assignment Example

Peter’s special relationship with Jesus: a biographical study al affiliation Peter’s special relationship with Jesus: a biographical study1.0 IntroductionThe relationship between Jesus and Peter in the Bible is exceptional, with the latter being considered as Jesus’ most beloved disciple. From the first meeting, Jesus saw something special in Peter and decided to nurture Peter into someone who would bring thousands to God. In actual sense, Jesus’ promise to Peter was that he would make Peter a “fisher of men” (Little2010, pp. 39). Peter’s life and his close relationship with Jesus, and whether peter deserved this special love is the main focus of this paper.2.0 Research methodologyIn order to present a proper analysis, this paper uses analytic induction to tell Peter’s life story.

In this process, data from a number of academic sources and bible verses is analyzed in order to determine Jesus’ relationship with his disciples. In particular, the relationship between Jesus and Peter is analyzed to determine its effect on Peter’s life. Ideally, the academic sources and scriptures provide deep insight into the social-religious life of the time, and by extension, how Peter adopted to this life. 3.0 The relationship between Jesus and his disciplesThe paper begins by generally looking at the relationship between Jesus and all his disciples.

This information is well written by Foster (2007, pp.1) concerning how makes the disciples feel like they are part of Jesus’ family, although there are times when Jesus refers to God as “my Father” thus emphasizing a more personal relationship between him and God. 3.1 The special love for PeterDespite showing love to all his disciples, Jesus was particularly fond of Peter as several versus in the bible can reveal. For instance, according to Shepherd (2010, pp. 780) in John 13:33, Jesus insists that the disciples must not go with him but says that later on, Peter will go where Jesus was unable to go.

Jesus’ love for Peter is also evident in the Bible, where after Peter identifies Jesus as the son of God and Jesus in return blesses Peter (Matthew 16:17). This blessing is interesting because after all the miracles and good deeds Jesus had performed, any of his disciples would have called him the son of God. However, Jesus chooses to bless Peter instead, saying that such revelation could only come from God. 3.2 Testing Peter’s love and faith in JesusIn order to strengthen Peter’s faith in God, Jesus put Peter through several tests.

For instance, in John 21 Jesus asks Peter whether he loves Jesus more than he loves all other things (Ramelli 2008, pp. 334). Peter replies in the affirmative but later on in the same evening, Peter denies Jesus three times, denying that he is a disciple of Jesus. In another instance, in Matthew 14: 22-33, Jesus comes to the disciples who are at sea walking on water. When Peter attempts to walk towards Jesus on the same water, he starts to sink and Jesus rebukes him for having little faith.4.

0 ConclusionEvidently, although Jesus had 12 disciples, Peter was his favorite considering how Jesus blessed him, prophesied that he would carry on with Jesus work, and even sought to know whether Peter’s love for him was genuine. However, it is debatable whether Peter really deserved all this love and special attention from Jesus considering that he did not have enough faith in God as evidenced by his sinking while trying to walk on water. In addition, Peter denied Jesus three times to avoid being arrested for being his disciple.

ReferencesFoster, R., 2007. Your, Ours, and Mine: Jesus Use of the Prophetic Possessive in the Gospel of Matthew. Biblical Theology Bulletin 37(1): 3-11.Little, E., 2010. Peter and the beloved disciple: unfinished business in John 21.Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought & Practice 18(4): 36-43.Ramelli, I., 2008. Simon, Son of John, Do You Love Me? Some Reflections on John 21:15. Novum Testamentum 50(4): 332-350.Shepherd, David. 2010. Do You Love Me? A Narrative-Critical Reappraisal of αγαπαω and φιλεω in John 21:15-17.

" Journal of Biblical Literature 129(4): 777-792.The Bible: Contemporary English version, 2000. London: Harper Collins.