Sunday night, I was glad that Decatur United Methodist Church invited John Maxwell back for Palm Sunday again.
Last year, he performed a one-person play on Judas. That was a very thought-provoking play, but this year, I really thought his portrayal of Peter made the Biblical person come alive.
Peter was a fisherman. Maxwell actually portrayed him as a Southern fisherman complete with the authentic accent and using the simple language a fisherman might use around our neck of the woods.
Many times, I’ve always kind of thought about many of the apostles as these guys who seemed kind of holier than me just because they walked and talked with Jesus, but Maxwell gave me an opportunity to challenge that belief.
Peter didn’t necessarily hold any kind of position in his community. He was just an ordinary fisherman who made a living on the water.
He would have continued to do that if it wasn’t for the “Rabbi.”
I can identify with Peter’s impulsiveness. While I can give off a front that I’m very thorough in my decision-making, I’m not at all. I make decisions most of the time based on my gut. I might go with the flow when no one else wants to do what I want, but I do understand that gut instinct.
I can connect with Peter of why he denied Jesus. When faced with the same situation, I might have merged with the people around me.
So when you read your Bible, don’t think of people like the apostles or other greats as better than you. Just understand they’re just as human as you are.
Contact Brent at bmaze@-newtoncountyappeal.com.
