Consider how the lives of the first Disciples, Peter, James and John have changed from chapter one to chapter sixteen.

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Michael Buckingham

Michael Buckingham

Discipleship

Centre Name: Sunderland St. Aidans

Centre Number: 39549

Date: October, 2002

Question 1

In this question I have been asked to consider how the lives of the first Disciples, Peter, James and John have changed from chapter one to chapter sixteen. To answer this I will begin by discussing the change in the life of Simon.

        Simon Peter was a fisherman, he was working class and properly unable to read and write.

        Mark 1:17, Jesus calls four fishermen, Jesus says to Simon, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” Simon’s response was immediate as he left his net and he was known as Peter from that time onwards. When Jesus tells the four fishermen to follow him they do not hang around but drop everything to start their new lives, Danes pg 34.

        Peter is married with responsibilities we know about this because Jesus heals Simon (Peter) mother in law. (1:30-31).

        In Mark 3:14, Peters responsibilities have changed, he has to leave his family and spread the word of God, in this reference Jesus chooses twelve Apostles which is an echo of the old Testament, when Jacob called the twelve Tribes of Israel after his twelve sons. This also shows us that Jesus is the new lawgiver, and it also shows us that Jesus has the power to establish the twelve tribes of Israel.

        Jesus choose Peter (Simon) first because it shows he is the one Jesus thinks could be a leader. Jesus changes Peters name from Simon because it shows a new start, the name Peter means rock.

        In Mark 5:37, Jesus heals / brings a little girl back to life, so this is a resurrection and is a future echo of what is going to happen to Jesus. Peter, James and John are all present for this; it is possible that Jesus was preparing his Disciples for his Death and Resurrection. The girl that healed was twelve years of age so it was yet another echo of the twelve tribes of Israel.

        Mark 6:6-12, Jesus sends his disciples out on their own for the first time, Jesus gives them exact instructions, “Don’t take anything with you, except a stick, no bread, no beggars bag, no money in your pockets.” They drove out many demons, and rubbed olive oil on many sick people and healed them, so the Disciples were successful on their first preaching and teaching without Jesus.

        Mark 8:27-29, Jesus asked his Disciples who do people say I am, they answered some say you are John the Baptist, others say you are Elijah while others say you are one of the prophets. Then Jesus went on to ask who do you think I am. Peter answered you are the Messiah, this is important because Peter is the only Disciple who is bold enough to say this; this is a pure faith statement from Peter. Messiah also means Anointed One or Christ.

        Mark 8:32-33, Jesus explains to his Disciples that he is a suffering servant, who will die but then in three days rise again. To hearing this Peter took Jesus aside and started to tell him off, but Jesus reversed and started to tell Peter off. “Your thoughts don’t come from God, but from human nature.” This is the first time Jesus tells his disciples what is going to happen. The Jews thought that the Messiah would come and drive out the Romans out but the Messiah is a suffering servant, the Jews expected this.

        The Transfiguration (9:2-13) was when Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain, which was the place to see God. They all saw Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus, bearing in mind these two prophets would be dead at this point. Peter then said, “Teacher, how good is it that we are all here! We will make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” It is likely that the three Disciples were very scared because if you saw God that meant that you were going to die. It was Jewish law that if you ever met a prophet you had to welcome them into your house and Peter sort of did this.

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        Peters character changes dramatically during the last hours of Jesus’ life, in 14:29-31. Peter is loyal to Jesus saying he is prepared to die for Jesus. Then Peter denies he even knows Jesus when asked, Jesus had predicted that this would happen but Peter refused to believe Jesus when he first told him.

        In the Commission (16:14-18), Peter now understands the word of God and has had the gifts received from the Holy Spirit, and Peter is now ready mentally and physically to spread Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

        I will now go on to talk ...

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