Esikhathini uPetru asichitha enoJesu, wabona izinto eziningi ezenza uJesu athandeke, izinto okufanele zilingiswe, futhi eziningi zaboniswa yena. Nakuba uPetru abubona ngezindlela eziningi ubuntu bukaNkulunkulu kuJesu, futhi abona ubuntu obuningi obuthandekayo, ekuqaleni wayengamazi uJesu. UPetru, waqala ukulandela uJesu lapho eneminyaka engama-20 yobudala, futhi waqhubeka emlandela iminyaka eyisithupha. Phakathi naleso sikhathi, wayengamazi uJesu, kodwa wayekulungele ukumlandela ngobuqotho ngoba emazisa. Lapho uJesu embiza okokuqala ogwini loLwandle LwaseGalile, uJesu wabuza ukuthi: “Simoni ndodana kaJona, ingabe uzongilandela?” UPetru wathi: “Kumele ngilandele lowo othunywe uBaba osezulwini. Kumele ngimazise lowo okhethwe uMoya oNgcwele. Ngizokulandela.” Ngaleso sikhathi, uPetru wayesezwile kukhulunywa ngendoda ebizwa ngokuthi uJesu, umprofethi omkhulu kakhulu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ethandekayo, futhi uPetru wayelokhu enethemba lokuthi uzomthola, ehlezi ethembeni lokuthi uzombona (ngoba iyona ndlela uMoya oNgcwele owawumhole ngayo leyo). Nakuba ayengazange ambone futhi ayelokhu ezwa inzwabethi Ngaye, ukulangazela nothando ngoJesu kwakulokhu kukhula kancane kancane enhliziyweni kaPetru, futhi wayelulangazelela kaningi usuku ayeyobona ngalo uJesu. UJesu wambiza kanjani uPetru? Naye wayezwe kukhulunywa ngendoda ebizwa ngokuthi uPetru futhi lokhu kwakwenzeka ngenxa yoMoya oNgcwele owawumthumile wathi: “Hamba uye oLwandle LwaseGalile, lapho kunothile khona obizwa ngokuthi uSimoni, indodana kaJona.” UJesu wezwa othile ethi kunomuntu obizwa ngokuthi uSimoni, indodana kaJona, nokuthi abantu babelalele intshumayelo yakhe, nokuthi futhi naye wayeshumayela ivangeli lombuso wezulu, nokuthi abantu ababemlalele bakhala mí izinyembezi. Ngemva kokuzwa lokhu, uJesu walandela lowo muntu, waya oLwandle LwaseGalile; lapho uPetru ebizwa uJesu, wamlandela.

Ngalesi sikhathi alandela ngaso uJesu, uPetru wayenemibono eminingi Ngaye futhi wayehlale emehlulela ngokwendlela yena ayebona ngayo izinto. Nakuba wayekuqonda ukufinyelela ezingeni elithile mayelana nokusebenza kukaMoya, ukuqonda kwakhe kwakungacacile, okwenza ukuthi athi: “Kumele ngilandele lowo othunywe nguBaba oseZulwini. Kumele ngazise lowo okhethwe uMoya oNgcwele.” Wayengaziqondi izinto uJesu azenza futhi zazingamcaceli. Ngemva kokumlandela isikhathi esithile, waqala ukuzithanda izinto ayezenza nayezisho, nakuJesu Ngokwakhe. Wabe esebona ukuthi uJesu wayeshisekeliswa uthando nenhlonipho; wayethanda ukuba naye ahlale eduze kwakhe, alalele amazwi kaJesu ayemsiza kakhulu. Phakathi nesikhathi alandela ngaso uJesu, uPetru waqaphela futhi wafaka enhliziyweni konke ngokuphila Kwakhe: Izenzo zakhe, amazwi, ukunyakaza kanye nezinkulumo. Wakuqonda ngokujulile ukuthi uJesu wayengeyena umuntu ovamile. Nakuba ukubukeka kwakhe kobuntu kwakujwayeleke ngokwedlulele, wayegcwele uthando, enobubele, futhi embekezelela umuntu. Yonke into ayenza noma ayisho yayibasiza kakhulu abanye, futhi uPetru owayeseceleni Kwakhe wabona futhi wafunda izinto ayengakaze azibone noma abe nazo ngaphambili. Wabona ukuthi nakuba uJesu wayengenaso isiqu esingokomoya esikhulu noma ubuntu obungavamile, wayenomoya ongavamile futhi oyivela-kancane. Nakuba uPetru ayengakwazi ukukuchaza kahle lokhu, wayebona ukuthi uJesu wayenza izinto ngendlela engavamile kweyawo wonke umuntu, ngoba izinto ayezenza zazehluke kakhulu kwezabantu abavamile. Esikhathini asichitha noJesu, uPetru wabona nokuthi isimilo Sakhe sasingafani nesabantu abajwayelekile. Ngaso sonke isikhathi wayenza izinto ngokungajahi futhi engaxhamazeli, wayengenalo ihaba futhi engathathi izinto kancane futhi wayephatha impilo Yakhe ngendlela eyayiveza isimilo esivamile nesithandekayo. Ezingxoxweni, uJesu wayenobungani, enomusa, engeneka, emnene futhi kumnandi ukuba naye, kodwa akazange alahlekelwe isithunzi Sakhe nesomsebenzi Wakhe. UPetru waphawula ukuthi kwakuba nezikhathi lapho uJesu ayengakhulumi khona kakhulu, futhi ngezinye izikhathi lapho ayexoxa khona ngokukhululeka. Ngezinye izikhathi wayejabula kakhulu abonakale njengejuba eliwumqemane nelingqabashiyayo, futhi ngezinye izikhathi wayedangala ngezinga lokuthi aze angakhulumi nhlobo, abonakale esindwa wusizi kube sengathi ungumama okhathele nongenamandla. Ngezinye izikhathi wayethukuthela, njengesosha elinesibindi elilungele ukuyobulala izitha, ngezinye izikhathi wayeba ngisho njengebhubesi elibhongayo. Ngezinye izikhathi wayehleka; ngezinye izikhathi wayethandaza futhi akhale. Akukhathalisekile ukuthi uJesu wayenzani, lokho kwenza uPetru waba nothando kanye nokumhlonipha okungenamkhawulo. Uhleko lukaJesu lwamenza waphuphuma injabulo, ukudabuka Kwakhe kwamenza waba nosizi, intukuthelo Yakhe yayimethusa, kuyilapho umusa, ukuthethelela, nezimfuno eziqinile kubantu kwenza ukuba amthande ngempela uJesu futhi kukhulise ukumhlonipha nokumlangazelela. Yiqiniso, konke lokhu uPetru wakubona ngesikhathi esephile noJesu iminyaka embalwa.

UPetru wayeyindoda ehlakaniphile, wazalwa nesiphiwo sokuhlakanipha, nokho wenza izinto eziningi eziwubulima ngesikhathi elandela uJesu. Ekuqaleni nje, wayenezinkolelo ezithile ngoJesu. Wabuza wathi: “Abantu bathi ungumprofethi, ngakho ngesikhathi uneminyaka eyisishiyagalombili futhi usumdala ngokwanele ukuthi ungaqonda izinto, ingabe wawazi ukuthi unguNkulunkulu? Ingabe wawazi ukuthi wakhulelwa ngumama wakho ngoMoya oNgcwele?” UJesu waphendula wathi: “Cha, akunjalo! Angibukeki yini njengomuntu ojwayelekile nje kuwe? Ngifana nawo wonke muntu. Umuntu uBaba amthumelayo uba ngumuntu ojwayelekile, hhayi umuntu ongajwayelekile. Futhi, nakuba umsebenzi engiwenzayo umele uBaba osezulwini, umuntu engiwuye, nalo mzimba wami oyinyama awunakummela ngokugcwele uBaba osezulwini—umela ingxenye Yakhe eyodwa kuphela. Nakuba kade ngiwuMoya, ngisewumuntu ovamile, futhi uBaba ungithume kulo mhlaba njengomuntu ovamile, hhayi umuntu ongajwayelekile.” Kulapho uPetru ezwa lokhu khona kuphela lapho aqala khona ukuba nokuqonda okuncane ngoJesu. Futhi kwaba ngemva kokuba bechithe amahora angenakubalwa emsebenzini kaJesu, wokufundisa, wokwalusa, nowokondla izimvu, lapho aqala khona ukuba nokuqonda okunzulu. Ngonyaka Wakhe wama-30, watshela uPetru ngokubethelwa Kwakhe okwase kusondele, nokuthi wayezele ukuzokwenza isigaba esithile somsebenzi—umsebenzi wokubethelwa—ukuze ahlenge isintu. UJesu watshela uPetru nokuthi ezinsukwini ezintathu ngemva kokubethelwa, iNdodana yomuntu yayiyovuswa, futhi ngemva kokuvuswa kwayo, yayiyovela kubantu izinsuku ezingama-40. Ezwa la mazwi uPetru wadabuka wayesefaka la mazwi enhliziyweni; kusukela lapho wasondela kakhulu kuJesu. Ngemva kokuhlangenwe nakho kwesikhathi esithile, uPetru wabona ukuthi konke uJesu akwenza kwakuwukubonisa ubuntu bukaNkulunkulu, futhi wabona ukuthi uJesu wayethandeka kakhulu. Kwaze kwaba yilapho eba nalokhu kuqonda lapho uMoya oNgcwele waqala khona ukumkhanyisela ngaphakathi. Ngemva kwalokho uJesu waphendukela kubafundi bakhe nakwabanye abalandeli Bakhe wababuza wathi: “Johane, uthi ngingubani na?” UJohane waphendula wathi: “UnguMose.” Wabe esebuza uLuka wathi: “Wena Luka, uthi ngingubani na?” ULuka waphendula: “Ungumprofethi omkhulu.” Wabe esebuza owesifazane, owaphendula wathi: “Ungumphrofethi omkhulu okhuluma amazwi amaningi okuphila okungunaphakade. Akekho oneziphrofetho ezinkulu kunezakho, noma onolwazi oludlula olwakho; Ungumphrofethi.” Ngemva kwalokho uJesu waphendukela kuPetru wambuza: “Petru, wena uthi ngingubani na?” UPetru waphendula wathi: “UnguKristu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Wehla uvela ezulwini, awuyena owasemhlabeni, awufani nenye indalo kaNkulunkulu. Sisemhlabeni futhi ulapha kanye nathi, kodwa Wena ungowezulu, awuyena owomhlaba, awuyena owakulo mhlaba.” Lokhu kuqonda kukaPetru kwakubangelwa uMoya oNgcwele owawumkhanyisele. Ngemva kwalokhu kukhanyiselwa, wayesekwazisa ngisho nakakhulu okwakwenziwa uJesu, wayesemthanda kakhulu, futhi wayesehlale esenhliziyweni yakhe, engasafuni ukuhlukana noJesu. Ngakho, ngesikhathi uJesu eziveza okokuqala kuPetru, ngemva kokubethelwa nokuvuswa Kwakhe uPetru wakhala izinyembezi zenjabulo: “Nkosi! Uvukile!” Khona-ke, ekhala, wabamba inhlanzi enkulu ngokubabazekayo, wayipheka wase eyiletha uJesu. UJesu wamomotheka, kodwa akashongo lutho. Nakuba uPetru wayazi ukuthi uJesu uvusiwe, wayengayiqondi imfihlo okuyiqukethe. Ngesikhathi enika uJesu inhlanzi ukuba ayidle, uJesu akenqabanga kodwa futhi akashongo lutho noma ahlale phansi ukuze adle, kodwa kunalokho wanyamalala kungazelelwe. Lokhu kwamenza washaqeka kakhulu uPetru, futhi waqala lapho ukuqonda ukuthi uJesu ovusiwe wasethe ukuhluka kancane kuJesu wangaphambi kwalokho. Ngemva kokuqaphela lokhu, uPetru waba lusizi, kodwa futhi kwamduduza ukwazi ukuthi iNkosi yayisiwuqedile umsebenzi Wayo. Wayazi ukuthi uJesu wayesewufezile umsebenzi Wakhe, nokuthi isikhathi asichitha nabantu sase siphelile, nokuthi kwase kuzodingeka ukuthi umuntu azimele. UJesu wake wamtshela ukuthi: “Nawe kuzomele uphuze kule sitsha engizakusiphuza (lokhu wakusho ngemva kokuvuswa Kwakhe), nawe kuzomele uhambe endleleni engihambe kuyo, kumele unikele ngempilo yakho ngenxa Yami.” Ngokungafani namanje, umsebenzi ngaleso sikhathi wawungahlanganisi ingxoxo eyenziwa ubuso nobuso. Phakathi neNkathi Yomusa, umsebenzi kaMoya oNgcwele wawucashe kakhulu, uPetru wadlula ebunzimeni obukhulu, futhi kwakuba nezikhathi lapho ayebabaza khona athi: “Nkulunkulu! Anginakho okunye ukuphila ngaphandle kwalokhu. Nakuba kungabalulekile kangako Kuwe, ngifisa ukukunikela Kuwe. Nakuba abantu bengakwazi ukuthanda, futhi uthando nezinhliziyo zabo kungenamsebenzi, ngikholelwa ukuthi uyakwazi ukubona izinhloso zezinhliziyo zabantu. Ngisho noma izinkumbi zabantu zingahlangabezani nezimfuneko zokwamukeleka Kuwe, ngifisa sengathi ungamukela inhliziyo yami.” Ngesikhathi ethandaza wayezothola isikhuthazo, ikakhulukazi lapho ethandaza ethi: “Ngizimisele ukunikela ngokuphelele inhliziyo yami kuNkulunkulu. Ngisho noma kungekho lutho engikwazi ukulwenzela uNkulunkulu, ngizimisele ukwanelisa uNkulunkulu ngobuqotho futhi ngizinikele Kuye ngenhliziyo yami yonke. Ngikholwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu kumele ahlolisise inhliziyo yami.” Wathi: “Akukho lutho engilucela empilweni ngaphandle kokuthi imicabango yami ibonise uthando engithanda ngalo uNkulunkulu nezifiso zenhliziyo yami zamukelwe uNkulunkulu. Ngibé neNkosi uJesu isikhathi eside, kodwa angikaze ngimthande, lesi isikweletu sami esikhulu kunazo zonke. Ngisho noma ngahlala Naye, angizange ngimazi, futhi ngaze ngasho ngisho izinto ezingafanele Ngaye engekho. Ukucabanga ngalezi zinto kungenza ngizibone ngiyikweleta kakhulu iNkosi uJesu.” Wayehlale ethandaza ngale ndlela. Wathi: “Kungcono ngisho uthuli kunami. Akukho engingakwenza ngaphandle kokunikela ngale nhliziyo eqotho kuNkulunkulu.”

Kwaba nomvuthwandaba wokuhlangenwe nakho kukaPetru, lapho umzimba wakhe usucishe wachobozeka waphela, kodwa uJesu wamnika isikhuthazo ngaphakathi. Wavela kuye kanye. Lapho uPetru esezinhlungwini ezinkulu futhi ezwa ukuthi inhliziyo yakhe yephukile, uJesu wamyalela wathi: “Wawunami emhlabeni, futhi Nami nganginawe lapha. Ngemva kwakho konke sizoba nawe ezulwini, ezweni likamoya. Manje ngibuyele ezweni lomoya, futhi wena usesemhlabeni. Ngoba angikho emhlabeni, futhi nakuba nawe ungeyena owasemhlabeni, kufanele wenze umsebenzi wakho emhlabeni. Njengoba uyisikhonzi, kufanele wenze umsebenzi wakho ngezinga ongakwazi ngalo.” UPetru waduduzeka, ngemva kokuzwa ukuthi angabuyela ohlangothini lukaNkulunkulu. Ngesikhathi uPetru ecwile kulolu bishi wayesecishe waphoqeleleka ukuthi ahlale elele embhedeni ngenxa yokugula, waba nomuzwa wecala ngezinga lokuthi waze wathi: “Ngonakele kakhulu, angikwazi ukwanelisa uNkulunkulu.” UJesu wabonakala kuye wathi: “Petru, kungenzeka yini ukuthi ususikhohliwe isinqumo owake wasenza phambi Kwami? Ingabe usuzikhohlwe ngempela zonke izinto engazisho? Ingabe ususikhohliwe isinqumo owasenza Kimi?” UPetru wabona ukuthi kwakunguJesu, wavuka embhedeni, uJesu wase emduduza: “Angiyena owasemhlabeni, kade ngakutshela—lokhu kumele ukuqonde, kodwa kunokunye engakutshela khona ngabe usukukhohliwe? ‘Nawe awuyena owasemhlabeni, awuyena owasezweni.’ Njengamanje kunomsebenzi okudingeka uwenze, akufanele ube lusizi kanjena, akufanele uhlupheke kanjena. Nakuba umuntu noNkulunkulu bengeke baphilisane ezweni elilodwa, nginomsebenzi Wami nawe unowakho, ngelinye ilanga lapho umsebenzi wakho usuphelile, siyoba ndawonye embusweni owodwa, futhi ngiyokuhola ukuze ube Nami kuze kube phakade.” UPetru waduduzwa wabuye waqinisekiswa ngemva kokuzwa la mazwi. Wayazi ukuthi lokhu kuhlupheka kwakuyinto okwakufanele ayibekezelele futhi adlule kuyo, futhi wakhuthazeka ngawo kusukela lapho ukuqhubekela phambili. UJesu wavela kuye ngomzuzu owawubaluleke kakhulu, emnika ukukhanyiselwa nesiqondiso esikhethekile kanye nomsebenzi omningi kuye. Kanti-ke ingabe yini uPetru azisola ngayo kakhulu? UJesu wabuza uPetru omunye umbuzo (nakuba eBhayibhelini kungalotshiwe ngale ndlela) kungakabiphi ngemva kokuba uPetru wathi “UyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo,” umbuzo wathi: “Petru! Ngabe wake wangithanda na?” UPetru wakuqonda lokhu ayeqonde ukukusho, futhi wathi: “Nkosi! Ngake ngathanda uBaba osezulwini, kodwa ngiyavuma ukuthi, angikaze ngikuthande.” UJesu wabe esethi: “Uma abantu bengamthandi uBaba osezulwini, bangayithanda kanjani iNdodana esemhlabeni? Futhi uma abantu bengayithandi iNdodana ethunyelwe uNkulunkulu uBaba, bangamthanda kanjani uBaba osezulwini? Uma abantu beyithanda ngempela iNdodana esemhlabeni, nakanjani bamthanda ngempela uBaba osezulwini.” Ngesikhathi uPetru ezwa la mazwi wabona ukuthi usilele kuphi. Wayehlale ezizwa enesikweletu kuze kufike ezingeni lokuthi akhale izinyembezi ngenxa yamazwi akhe “Ngake ngamthanda uBaba osezulwini, kodwa Wena angikaze ngikuthande.” Ngemva kokuvuswa nokunyukela kukaJesu ezulwini wazizwa enesikweletu nosizi olukhulu nakakhulu ngabo. Ekhumbula umsebenzi wakhe waphambilini kanye nesimo sakhe sangaleso sikhathi, wayethandaza kaningi kuJesu, ehlale ezisola futhi ezizwa enesikweletu ngenxa yokunganeliseki ngesifiso sokukhonza uNkulunkulu anaso, nokungafinyeleli ezindinganisweni zikaNkulunkulu. Lezi zinto zaba umthwalo wakhe omkhulu. Wathi: “Ngelinye ilanga ngiyokunikeza konke enginakho nakho konke engiyikho, ngiyokunika noma yini eyigugu kakhulu kimi.” Wathi: “Nkulunkulu! Nginokholo olulodwa kuphela kanye nothando olulodwa. Ukuphila kwami akulutho, nomzimba wami nawo awufanelwe yilutho. Nginokholo olulodwa kuphela kanye nothando olulodwa. Engqondweni yami ngikholelwa Kuwe futhi enhliziyweni yami nginalo uthando lwakho; kuzo zombili lezi zinto enginakho uqobo lwami kuphela engingakunika lona, futhi akukho okunye.” UPetru wakhuthazwa kakhulu amazwi kaJesu, ngoba ngaphambi kokuba uJesu abethelwe, wayethe kuye: “Angiyena owakulo mhlaba, futhi nawe awuyena owakulo mhlaba.” Kamuva, ngesikhathi uPetru ezwa ubuhlungu obukhulu, uJesu wamkhumbuza wathi: “Petru, ingabe usukhohliwe? Angiyena owakulo mhlaba, umsebenzi Wami ongenze ngasheshe ngahamba. Nawe awuyena owakulo mhlaba, ingabe usukhohliwe? Sengikutshele kabili, ingabe awusakhumbuli?” UPetru wamuzwa wabe esethi: “Angikakhohlwa!” UJesu yena wathi: “Wake wachitha isikhathi esimnandi kanye Nami ezulwini nesikhathi esithile useceleni Kwami. Uyangikhumbula, futhi Nami ngiyakukhumbula. Nakuba kungasizi kakhulu ukukhuluma ngezidalwa emehlweni Ami, ngingahlala kanjani ngingamthandi umuntu ongenacala nothandekayo? Ingabe ususikhohliwe isithembiso Sami? Kumele wamukele umsebenzi Wami emhlabeni; kumele ufeze umsebenzi engikuphathise wona. Ngelinye ilanga nakanjani ngiyokuhola ukuze ube seceleni Kwami.” Ngemva kokuzwa lokhu, uPetru wakhuthazeka ngisho nakakhulu, wathola ngisho nesikhuthazo esikhulu nakakhulu, kangangokuthi ngesikhathi esesiphambanweni, wayekwazi ukuthi: “Nkulunkulu! Angikwazi ukukuthanda ngokwanele! Ngisho noma ungicela ukuba ngikufele, angikakwazi ukukuthanda ngokwanele! Noma yikuphi lapho uthumela khona umphefumulo wami, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ugcwalisa izithembiso Zakho ezedlule noma cha, noma ngabe yini oyenza ngemva kwalokho, ngiyakuthanda futhi ngiyakholelwa Kuwe.” Ayebambelele kukho kwakuwukholo nothando lweqiniso.

Ngobunye ubusuku, abafundi abaningana, kuhlanganisa noPetru, babesesikebheni sokudoba. Babendawonye noJesu, futhi uPetru wabuza uJesu umbuzo onobungane: “Nkosi! Kunombuzo ebengilokhu ngizibuza wona isikhathi eside engingathanda ukukubuza wona.” UJesu waphendula wathi: “Kulungile ungabuza!” UPetru wabe esebuza ethi: “Ingabe wawenziwe Nguwe umsebenzi owenziwa phakathi neNkathi Yomthetho?” UJesu wamomotheka, njengokungathi uthi: “Le ngane, idlala ubungane!” Wabe eseqhubeka nenjongo ethi: “Kwakungemina, kwakuwumsebenzi kaJehova noMose.” UPetru wezwa lokhu wayesebabaza ethi: “Hawu! Kusho ukuthi kwakungewona umsebenzi Wakho.” Ngemva kokuba uPetru esho lokhu, uJesu akabange esakhuluma. UPetru wazitshela ukuthi: “Kwakungewona umsebenzi Wakho, yingakho uzele ukuzoqeda ngomthetho, ngoba kwakungewona umsebenzi Wakho.” Inhliziyo yakhe yakhululeka. Ngemva kwalokho, uJesu waqaphela ukuthi uPetru wayenobungane, kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayengenakho ukuqonda ngaleso sikhathi, uJesu akashongo lutho noma ambonise ngokuqondile ukuthi unephutha. UJesu wake washumayela esinagogeni, lapho kwakukhona abantu abaningi khona, kuhlanganisa noPetru. Entshumayelweni Yakhe, uJesu wathi: “Umuntu oyosuka phakade aye engunaphakadeni uyokwenza umsebenzi wokuhlenga phakathi neNkathi Yomusa, ukuze ahlenge isintu esonweni, kodwa ngeke alawulwe imithetho lapho ekhulula abantu esonweni. Uyophuma emthethweni angene eNkathini Yomusa. Uyohlenga sonke isintu. Uyophuma eNkathini Yomthetho aphumele eNkathini Yomusa, kodwa akekho omaziyo, lowo oze evela kuJehova. Umsebenzi uMose awenza wayewunikwa uJehova; uMose waloba umthetho nomsebenzi uJehova awenza.” Ngesikhathi sekushiwo lokhu, waqhubeka wathi: “Labo abafuna ukuqeda imiyalelo yeNkathi Yomusa phakathi neNkathi Yomusa bayobhekana nenhlekelele. Kumele bame ethempelini babhujiswe uNkulunkulu, futhi kumele kuqubuke umlilo ubashise.” Lapho uPetru eseqedile ukulalela lokhu, wakhungatheka kancane futhi kuyo yonke inkathi yezinto adlula kuzo, uJesu wamelusa futhi waqinisa uPetru, ekhuluma naye okusenhliziyweni yakhe, okuyinto eyenza uPetru wamqonda kangcono uJesu. Njengoba uPetru wayecabanga ngentshumayelo kaJesu ngalolo suku, umbuzo ambuza wona ngesikhathi besesikebheni sokudoba nempendulo uJesu amnika yona, nendlela uJesu ahleka ngayo, kwamenza waqala ngaleso sikhathi ukukuqonda konke. Ngemva kwalokho, uMoya oNgcwele wakhanyisela uPetru, futhi waqala lapho ukuqonda ukuthi uJesu wayeyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Ukuqonda kukaPetru kweza emva kokukhanyiselwa uMoya oNgcwele, kodwa kwakunenqubo eyayibandakanyeka ekuqondeni kwakhe. Yayiwukubuza imibuzo, ukulalela uJesu eshumayela, nokusondelana ngokukhethekile noJesu kanye nokumelusa Kwakhe ngendlela ekhethekile, yikho okwenza uPetru waqaphela ukuthi uJesu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Lokho akwenzekanga ngobusuku nje obubodwa; kwakuyinqubo, futhi lokho kwamsiza ezintweni adlula kuzo kamuva. Kungani uJesu engawenzanga umsebenzi wokuphelelisa abanye abantu, kodwa kwaba uPetru nje kuphela? Kungenxa yokuthi uPetru wayeqonda ukuthi uJesu wayeyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu ophilayo, futhi akekho omunye owayekwazi lokhu. Nakuba babebaningi abafundi ababazi izinto eziningi ngezikhathi zabo ngemva kwakhe, ulwazi lwabo lwalukha phezulu. Yingakho uPetru ayekhethwe uJesu njengesibonelo somuntu owenziwe waphelela. Lokho uJesu akusho kuPetru ngaleso sikhathi yilokho asakusho kubantu namuhla, okumele babe nolwazi nokuphila okufinyelela ezingeni likaPetru. Ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzophelelisa wonke umuntu kuvumelana nalezi zimfuneko kanye nale ndlela. Kungani abantu namuhla kudingeka babe nokholo lwangempela kanye nothando lweqiniso? Lokho uPetru abhekana nakho, nani kumele nibhekane nakho, izithelo uPetru azithola ngenxa yezinto adlula kuzo nani kumele nizithole, ubuhlungu uPetru abuzwa nani kumele nibuzwe. Indlela enihamba kuyo iyafana nendlela uPetru ahamba kuyo. Ubuhlungu enibuzwayo buyafana nobuhlungu uPetru abuzwa. Lapho nithola inkazimulo futhi niphila ukuphila kwangempela, niyobe niphila ukuphila okwaphilwa uPetru. Indlela iyafana, futhi umuntu wenziwa aphelele ngokuvumelana nalokhu. Nokho, izinga lokuphila kwenu alifiki ncamashi kwelikaPetru, ngoba izikhathi zishintshile, kanjalo nezinga lenkohlakalo. Futhi eJudiya kwakunombuso owawusubuse isikhathi eside ngesiko lasendulo. Ngakho kumele uzame ukuthuthukisa izinga lokuphila kwakho.

UPetru wayengumuntu owayesheshe azwele, ekhaliphile kuyo yonke into ayeyenza, futhi ethembeke kakhulu. Wabhekana nezithiyo eziningi. Waqala ukuxhumana nenhlangano eneminyaka eyi-14, eya esikoleni aphinde aye kaningi esinagogeni. Wayenentshisekelo eningi futhi wayehlale ekulungele ukuya emihlanganweni. Ngaleso sikhathi, uJesu wayengakawuqali ngokusemthethweni umsebenzi Wakhe; lesi kwakumane kuseyisiqalo seNkathi Yomusa. UPetru waqala ukuxhumana namalungu enkolo eneminyaka eyi-14; ngesikhathi eneyi-18 wayesexhumana nabaholi benkolo, kodwa ngemva kokubona isixakaxaka sasesontweni esasenzeka ekusithekeni, washiya. Ebona indlela ababehlakaniphe ngayo, benobuqili futhi benenkohliso ngayo laba bantu, wanyanya kakhulu (lena indlela uMoya oNgcwele owawusebenza ngayo ngaleso sikhathi, ukuze umphelelise), ngakho wayeka eneminyaka eyi-18 ukuya esinagogeni. Abazali bakhe bamshushisa futhi babengamvumeli ukuthi akholwe (babengabakadeveli, futhi bengenalo ukholo). Ekugcineni, uPetru wahamba ekhaya wase ehamba izindawo ngokuzithandela, edoba futhi eshumayela iminyaka emibili, phakathi naleso sikhathi wayehola abantu abambadlwana. Manje ungayibona ngokucacile indlela eyathathwa uPetru. Uma ukwazi ukuyibona ngokucacile indlela kaPetru, khona-ke uyoqiniseka ngomsebenzi owenziwa namhlanje, ukuze ungakhonondi, noma uvumele izinto noma ulangazelele noma yini. Kufanele uyiqonde imizwa kaPetru ngaleso sikhathi: Wahlaselwa umunyu; wayeseyekile ukucela ikusasa noma izibusiso. Wayengafune nzuzo, injabulo, udumo, noma inhlanhla yezwe, ayekufuna nje kwakuwukuphila ukuphila okunenjongo, okwakuwukubuyisa uthando uNkulunkulu ambonisa lona futhi anikele lokho ayekuthatha njengokuyigugu kakhulu kuNkulunkulu. Ngemva kwalokho, wayeyokwaneliseka enhliziyweni yakhe. Wayethandaza kaningi kuJesu athi: “Nkosi Jesu Kristu, ngake ngakuthanda, kodwa ngangingakuthandi ngeqiniso. Nakuba ngithe nginokholo Kuwe, angikaze ngikuthande ngenhliziyo eneqiniso. Bengilokhu ngibheke Kuwe, ngikwazisa, ngikukhumbula, kodwa angikaze ngikuthande noma ngibe nokholo Kuwe.” Wayehlale ethandaza ukuze enze isinqumo sakhe, futhi wayehlala ekhuthazwa ngamazwi kaJesu futhi ethola umdlandla kuwo. Kamuva, ngemva kwenkathi ethile, uJesu wamvivinya, wamenza ukuba amlangazelele kakhudlwana. UPetru wathi: “Nkosi Jesu Kristu! Yeka indlela engikukhumbula ngayo, futhi ngilangazelela ukukubona. Ngintula kakhulu, futhi akukho engingakubuyisela khona ngothando Lwakho. Ngiyakunxusa ukuba ungithathe ngokushesha. Uyongidinga nini? Uyongithatha nini? Ngiyophinde ngibubone nini ubuso Bakho? Angisafisi ukuphinde ngiphile esinye isikhathi kulo mzimba, ukuba ngiqhubeke nokonakaliswa, futhi angisafisi ukuphinde ngihlubuke. Ngikulungele ukukunika ngokushesha kangangokunokwenzeka konke enginakho, futhi angisafisi ukuphinde ngikuphathe kabi.” Lena indlela athandaza ngayo, kodwa wayengazi ngaleso sikhathi ukuthi yini uJesu ayeyoyiphelelisa kuye. Phakathi nenhlupheko eyaba sovivinyweni lwakhe, uJesu waphinde wavela kuye futhi wathi: “Petru, ngifisa ukukuphelelisa, ngezinga lokuthi ube ingxenye yesithelo, esiyoba umfuziselo wokupheleliswa Yimi, futhi engizosijabulela. Ingabe ungafakaza ngempela Ngami? Ingabe ukwenzile engithe kwenze? Ingabe uphilile ngamazwi engiwakhulumile? Wake wangithanda, kodwa nakuba wangithanda, wake wangishiya ngaphandle? Yini ongenzele yona? Uyabona ukuthi alukufanele uthando Lwami, kodwa yini ongenzele yona?” UPetru wabona ukuthi wayengamenzelanga lutho uJesu futhi wakhumbula izifungo ayezenzile zokunikela ngokuphila kwakhe kuNkulunkulu. Ngakho wayengasakhonondi, futhi imithandazo yakhe ngemva kwalokho, yaba ngcono kakhulu. Wathandaza wathi: “Nkosi Jesu Kristu! Ngake ngakushiya, Nawe wake wangishiya. Sesichithe isikhathi singekho ndawonye, nesikhathi sindawonye. Kodwa ungithanda ngaphezu kwanoma yini enye. Ngihlubuke ngokuphindaphindiwe Kuwe futhi ngalila kaningi. Ngingazikhohlwa kanjani izinto ezinjalo? Umsebenzi owenze kimi nezinto ongiphathise zona ngiyohlale ngizikhumbula, angisoze ngakukhohlwa. Ngomsebenzi owenze kimi, ngikuzamile okusemandleni. Uyakwazi engikwazi ukukwenza, futhi uyayazi nendima engingayidlala. Ngifisa ukuthobela izinhlelo Zakho, futhi ngiyonikela konke enginakho Kuwe. Uwena kuphela owazi engingakwenzela khona. Nakuba uSathane angikhohlisa kangaka futhi ngahlubuka Kuwe, ngikholelwa ukuthi awusazikhumbuli lezo ziphambeko zami, nokuthi indlela ongiphatha ngayo ayisekelwe kuzo. Ngifisa ukunikela ngokuphila kwami konke Kuwe. Akukho engikucelayo, futhi anginawo amanye amathemba namacebo; ngifisa kuphela ukwenza ngokuvumelana nenjongo Yakho nokwenza intando Yakho. Ngiyophuza esitsheni Sakho esimuncu, futhi ngingowakho ukuba ungiyale.”

Kumele kucace endleleni ohamba ngayo; kumele icace indlela ozoyithatha esikhathini esizayo, lokho uNkulunkulu ayokuphelelisa, nalokho ophathiswe khona. Mhlawumbe ngelinye ilanga, uyovivinywa, futhi uma ukwazile ukukhuthazwa izinto uPetru adlula kuzo, lokho kuyobonisa ukuthi ngempela uhamba endleleni kaPetru. UNkulunkulu wamncoma uPetru ngokholo lwakhe lweqiniso kanye nothando, nangobuqotho bakhe kuNkulunkulu. Futhi kwakungenxa yokwethembeka kwakhe nokulangazelela uNkulunkulu enhliziyweni yakhe okwenza uNkulunkulu wamphelelisa. Uma ngempela unothando nokholo olufana nolukaPetru, nakanjani uJesu uyokuphelelisa.