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One day, Jesus invited Peter and Andrew to come and follow him. "At once," Matthew says, "they left their nets and followed him" (Matthew 4:19-20). Did these future apostles simply see Jesus for the first time, hear only three words, and then leave their homes, families, and livelihoods to follow him? It's possible, but somewhat doubtful. More likely, this was Matthew's way of dramatizing a radical decision that probably had more history to it than he recounted. Most commentators believe that Peter and Andrew had heard Jesus preach a few times and may well have spent time alone speaking with him before they left everything behind to become his disciples.
A year or two later, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” In response, Peter proclaimed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). Clearly, Peter had some idea about who Jesus was. These words must have been one of the high points in Peter’s spiritual life. This may have been the moment when Peter realized that this man for whom he had left everything was more than just a special rabbi.
Around the same time as Peter’s bold profession, Jesus told a crowd of people that he was no less than the bread of life and that those who ate of him would live forever (John 6:51). On hearing this, many of Jesus’ followers left him. And yet, despite popular sentiment, Peter again spoke out plainly: “Lord, to whom can…
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