St. Peter

2005

oil on canvas

40" X 30"

When we say a person walks on water we are saying the person is revered respected. When people say Jesus walked on water they mean it literally.

In the New Testament story, Jesus walks on the waters of the Sea of Galilee towards a boat manned by some of Jesus' disciples. One of these disciples is St. Peter. Peters real name is Simon, but Jesus calls him Cephas, which in Greek is Petra, The Rock. This is an example of how much Jesus believes in Simon Peter. More, it would seem, than Peter believes in Peter.

When Peter sees Jesus walking on the water towards him, the disciples are frightened because they don't know if it is really Jesus. Jesus tells Peter to get out of the boat and walk towards him. That Peter or anyone else for that matter could do it. Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking towards Jesus. He feels the wind and it became frightened and cried for help. Jesus pulls him out and says "oh ye of little faith"

So, why did St. Peter fall in the water children?

Because he didn't believe he could.

In this painting I wanted to make the viewer Jesus. Did you yourself or has anyone you know needed a hand during a desperate time? Many times, like St Peter, they are having doubts about themselves.

Well... don't just sit there!