Portrait of a disciple: Peter, John, Thomas or Matthew
Jesus' twelve disciples were ordinary people: fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, a skeptic, an impulsive one. None of them was perfect, and yet Jesus chose them. This week's quest invites you to paint the portrait of one of them, by reading three passages and observing how he changes.
What it looks like in your day
Choose a disciple: Peter, John, Thomas or Matthew. Then read three passages from three different moments in his life. For example:
- Peter: walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33), his denial (Luke 22:54-62), his restoration (John 21:15-19).
- John: the call (Mark 1:19-20), the request for places of honor (Mark 10:35-45), at the foot of the cross (John 19:25-27).
- Thomas: his loyalty in the face of danger (John 11:16), his question (John 14:5), his doubt and then his confession (John 20:24-29).
- Matthew: his call (Matthew 9:9-13), his meal with his colleagues, his role in the group of twelve.
Note what you observe:
- At the beginning: his character, his strengths, his flaws.
- In the middle: his mistakes, his hesitations, his questions.
- At the end: what has changed in him, what Jesus has made of him.
Finish with one sentence: “What strikes me in this disciple's journey is…” Then ask yourself: “What does this tell me about how Jesus works with me?”
If you are short on time, read one passage a day for three days. If you are a beginner, start with Peter: his story is rich. If you are shy, simply note down your impressions.
What the Bible says
Luke tells how Jesus formed his group:
“And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.”
Notice the diversity: fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot (a nationalist), and even Judas, who will betray him. Jesus doesn't choose clones. He spends the night in prayer before calling them (Luke 6:12): this choice is an act of prayer.
The disciples are also shown with their flaws. Peter tells Jesus he will never deny him, then he denies him. Jesus' look, right afterward, reminds him who he is (Luke 22:61). The story of these men is not that of heroes, but of people whom Jesus patiently trained.
Pitfalls to avoid
Idealizing them. The disciples often misunderstood Jesus, fled, doubted. Their portrait is more honest than the one in legends.
Judging them. It is easy to criticize Peter for his denial. But ask yourself: what would I have done in his place?
Keeping only one moment. A disciple is not summed up by his worst mistake or his finest impulse. Observe the whole journey.
Looking for a lesson too quickly. Take the time to understand the character before asking what it teaches you.
Forgetting Jesus. The portrait of a disciple is also a portrait of Jesus: his patience, his faithfulness, the way he lifts people up.
This week, choose one disciple. Read three passages about him, and note how he changed.