By Wendy Choy-Chan

When Jesus called Simon to be his disciple, he told Simon he would be called Peter — Peter the leader of the early church. Jesus did not interview Simon for his IQ, EQ, talents, qualifications, and experiences. Simon did not write a thesis or pass an examining board to get his credentials to become Peter, the leader. If one were to check Simon Peter’s performance along the way, he had failed miserably — right after he aced the question of who Jesus was, he flunked by rebuking Jesus’ mission to the cross; he failed to grasp the meaning behind Jesus washing the disciples’ feet; he used his self-will to defend Jesus with a sword but denied him with his mouth. Despite all these “failures,” Jesus chose Simon and formed him to become Peter.

How so? By inviting Simon to follow him, stay (abide) with him, and walk with him. Simon not only learned from Jesus but also learned Jesus. He did not know about Jesus but knew Jesus and was being known by Jesus — knowing of the heart, knowing in love. Jesus reinstated Peter at the end of the Gospel of John, and charged him to feed his sheep. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Jesus. It turned out that the fundamental mark of a leader (shepherd) was not a correct doctrine or a flawless life, but a love for Jesus. A leader leads with love, not with rules or a model by which to follow. Further, Peter knew Jesus knew that he loved Jesus. It was a love and a knowledge that reverberated between the two, an unceasing loop of loving and knowing, a resonance of an ever-increasing intensity that would spread to those whom Peter led in his leadership. Simon became Peter in and through the love of Jesus, and he loved Jesus “more than these.”

How often do we look for this love between Jesus and our leaders, instead of their other gifts and talents? How often do we appreciate this love between Jesus and our leaders, before their other gifts and talents? How often do I seek this love between Jesus and me, instead of other gifts and talents from Jesus? How often do I value this love between Jesus and me, over my other gifts and talents from Jesus?

Wendy Choy-Chan came to North America from Hong Kong when she was 15. After graduating with a MScE, she worked as a telecommunications engineer for a few years before becoming a full-time mom. She earned her MA in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2016, and is now pursuing a D.Min in Affective Spirituality and Christian Formation at Multonmah Biblical Seminary. Wendy lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and two daughters.