Real Hope: Hope in the Life of PeterUkázka

## Introduction Peter is one of Scripture’s most endearing characters. His personality has something energetic about it. And because Peter is so completely human, it’s easy to identify with him. He goes by three names: Simon, Cephas, and Peter. Born with the name Simon, he underwent a transformative moment in John 1:42 when Jesus named him ‘Peter’, meaning ‘rock’ (derived from the Greek ‘petros’ signifying ‘a piece of rock, a stone’). Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. In the pages of the Gospels, we frequently encounter Peter’s name, second only to the Name of Jesus, and many interactions are recorded between Jesus and Peter. Notably, Peter is the only disciple who dared rebuke the Lord (Matthew 16:22), and conversely, he received more rebukes from Jesus than any other. Peter represents each of us. He’s impetuous and overly enthusiastic, yet he has a big heart. And Jesus decides to include him in His inner circle. Peter wrote two epistles in the New Testament, offering guidance to early Christian communities. His teachings emphasized faith, hope, and love, and he encouraged Christians to endure suffering and persecution. Peter’s journey from a simple fisherman to a key figure in Christianity highlights the transformative power of Grace and Unwavering Faith. His legacy endures through the impact of his teachings and his role in shaping the early Christian Church. #### Written by HEIDI WYSMAN