To delve deeper into why Jesus chose Simon Peter as the “pillar” of his mission in Decapolis, despite the fact that he was merely a man struggling with himself, we need to delve deeper into the psychology of leadership and how true trust is formed. This article will analyze the issue in detail, expanding on it from the perspective of a skeptical yet curious observer of human nature.

The Paradox of Choice: Why Simon?

In Season 3 Episode 7, when Jesus tells John that Simon is crucial to the Decapolis mission, the audience often feels a bit uneasy. What did we just see? A Simon stuck, struggling with bills, unable to manage a small group, and whose only noteworthy action was… paying the charter. No outstanding performance, no brilliant leadership, and not a hint of the charisma of a great leader. If this were a 21st-century job interview, Simon would be eliminated right from the start for lacking basic management skills.

But that’s the crucial point. Jesus wasn’t looking for a CEO or a talented administrator. He was building a foundation, and in the world of spiritual transformation, “skills” are often the least important thing. When Jesus called Simon a “pillar,” He wasn’t looking at what Simon was doing (or not doing), but at the potential buried beneath the dust of self-doubt and pressure.

Decoding “Imposter Syndrome”

Simon was experiencing what young people today call extreme “imposter syndrome.” He felt like a fraud, someone incapable of carrying out the mission entrusted to him. His inability to do anything beyond paying for the ship reveals a mental breakdown: when people are overly concerned with maintaining a “perfect” image, they often fall into a state of inaction.

Jesus knew this well. His affirmation wasn’t a compliment for achievement, but an electric shock to revive willpower. Jesus’ direct designation of Simon as “crucial” was a hidden message: “I don’t need your perfection, I need your presence.” He forced Simon to acknowledge that, despite his failure in logistics management, he was the only one Jesus trusted to stand with in the land of the Gentiles.

Overcoming Dependence on Personal Ability

We often think of faith as a kind of power that helps us succeed. But in The Chosen, faith is depicted as a process of stripping away. Simon is stripped of the pride that he can “control” everything. When he couldn’t find food, couldn’t lead the group, he was forced to face the reality: without Jesus, he was nothing.

Paying for the ship is a powerful metaphor for surrender. It’s not grand, not flashy, but it’s the ultimate sacrifice of personal possessions for a cause he feels he’s failing at. Jesus acknowledges that very moment of “humbleness.” In His eyes, it’s faith. Faith isn’t about performing miracles on stage; faith is about continuing to pay for the ship to go to the place he fears most, even while feeling like a failure.

Decapolis: Where Truth Speaks

Why Decapolis? This is the land of the Gentiles, where Jewish standards no longer hold value. Jesus brought Simon there so he couldn’t rely on any social support or personal fame. There, Simon wasn’t “Simon the Chosen One,” he was just a lone man in a hostile environment.

The “importance” Jesus spoke of lay in perseverance. A true leader isn’t someone who always wins, but someone who doesn’t give up even when they know they’re losing. Jesus needed Simon to prove that, no matter how “broken” you are, as long as you stand firm beside Him, you can still change the course of events.

Conclusion: A New Way of Life

Perhaps the lesson here isn’t for the winners. It’s for everyone who feels they’re “not good enough.” We often impose harsh standards on ourselves, judging ourselves by our failures in managing our lives. But if Jesus looked at Simon—a man full of flaws—and saw a pillar of strength, perhaps He sees us the same way.

Simon’s “crucial” wasn’t about what he accomplished, but about his commitment to his Master despite his self-doubt. It’s a very Gen Z philosophy: authentic, raw, sometimes chaotic, but courageous. We don’t need to be perfect versions of ourselves to begin our mission; we just need the courage to “pay the fare” and step into new territory, no matter how shaky our legs are.

Ultimately, Jesus’s valuing of Simon is an affirmation that, in the pursuit of world change, loyalty to the truth—even the truth about one’s own pain and vulnerability—is always the sharpest weapon. Simon didn’t succeed.