PopeEssaySA15

Peter, the Apostle whom Jesus entrusted his Church to. Jesus chose Peter out of 11 faithful apostles to lead the rest and to be the first pope of his Church. Why Peter though? Why not one of the other apostles? Did the other apostles lack something that Peter had, did Jesus favor Peter? Throughout the New Testament we can see why Jesus chose Peter to lead his apostles and his Church. Through his leadership and great characteristics he demonstrates the perfect candidate to lead our Church.

Peter is a follower of Christ and a leader of our church. When the Passover meal began, Jesus trusted Peter and John to make preparations for the meal. He follows orders that are given to him which are the qualities of a good leader. A leader is someone who not only leads a nation, he is someone who is able to follow directions. Peter is also a strong believer in Christ. When Jesus had risen from his tomb and the women went to go see inside, it was Peter who had believed that Jesus had risen. Peter spread the word that Jesus had risen from his tomb spreading the word that the Messiah had risen. Although we still don't know why Jesus had chosen Peter to be the first Pope.

Peter, of course he's a leader and a great follower of Christ. Weren't the other apostles also faithful and diligent followers? Well in simplest terms I would think that Jesus just trusted Peter. Jesus built his church on the weakest foundation, which was Peter. When Peter fled the persecution of the Jews he was weak and tried to flee from the inevitable, but Jesus appeared to Peter and told him to go back and kill himself in his name. Thus through the help of Jesus Peter was martyred for Christ. Although he did not feel worthy enough to be crucified the same way as Christ and was hung upside down. A devoted follower of Christ and an example to those in the Church, Peter was a great Pope and an amazing follower of Christ. Now the question remains at hand, how can Peter be a good role model to future Popes?

Peter can teach our future Popes that sometimes God asks the impossible, but with him there is a way. Jesus asked Peter to martyr himself for the faith, and as commanded he did so. Although the Popes of this modern era won't necessarily be asked to martyr themselves, the will be asked to put themselves on the line for the people of the Church. Whether it be facing political dilemma, or trying to decide things that have distraught and forsaken the name of Church in recent years. Peter can also teach future Popes that it's alright to fail. Peter denied Jesus three times and tried to flee from his persecution, but through Christ again and again Peter came back. It's alright to mess up here and there, you can just get back up try again because we're only human.

Altogether Peter lead an eventful life from when he found Christ and was chosen to be an Apostle, to being asked of Christ to lead our Church. He's an example of a devoted follower and a dedicated leader. From choosing what to do right and look back at your mistakes, he can lead us and his successors. Peter teaches us through his actions that we can become devoted followers and leaders if we listen to what Jesus tells us. We can also learn that when we are being called to take his hand and he will lead us to where we have to go in life. What will you learn from Peter?