Today I would like to share with you some things from the twenty-first chapter of John. There are a lot of interesting things that we could discussed, including the last verse. Which states, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written." (John 21: 25) Wow! I mean wow. We have just one book, the Holy Bible, and it contains so much history of God working along with His children, the ministry of Jesus Christ, and some special letters. Yet, one would wonder just what all Jesus did during His life and the last 40 days after His resurrection. Whatever it was the disciples never doubted Jesus again, neither did they questioned Him about waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit and the power that was to come upon them. They just knew something really big or exciting was about to happen.
However, there is another area I would like us to focus on. In the beginning of the chapter, Peter wants to go fishing and other disciples decided to go along with him. As you see, it was very easy for them to fall back into old habits, and how easy others were willing to follow when they didn't think Jesus was there. But there He was, waiting and watching from the shore; while they struggle to accomplish something they thought would benefit others. But they came up empty-handed just like we so often do.
Then Jesus tells the disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and suddenly their nets were filled to overflowing. What's interesting is that they did not realize it was Jesus until after they saw the miracle in their net. Then Peter gets dressed, forsakes the big catch and swims to shore to be the first to greet Jesus. Peter was always a little ran bumptious. (Notice that Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. Maybe it was a play on words. However, they certainly were not doing what He had planned for them. Yet, Jesus was still gracious with these young recruits.)
After Peter swims to shore, Jesus tells him to bring some of the fish that were just arriving; so they could add them to the ones that He was already cooking over hot coals. (God often takes a little of what we have and adds it to what He has to offer. Also, I'm curious how Jesus got that fire started or where those fish and bread came from.) Then someone decides to count the impressive haul of large fish, and the grand total was 153 fish. That number is important, because it's the numerical number for the Hebrew word that means fish. (This is where the author of the Bible Code picked up some clues as to help him and us understand the Bible's real meaning a little better. It is also why God has certain numbers mentioned throughout the Bible to help others decipher hidden treasures.)
Anyway after they had their breakfast and Peter's stomach was full, Jesus asks Simon Peter this question, "Do you love me? Well, if he had any food in his mouth he probably would have choked on it. As it was Peter's stomach was starting to churn and his mind was reeling back to that awful night when he denied knowing Jesus.
In Jesus life, there were two significant questions that He had asked, and they were both answered by Peter. First was—"Who do you say I am?" and the second was here on the shores of Galilee. "Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Oh how Peter struggle to form the right answer for Jesus. There was no bold declaration or bragging this time. A simple "yes" would probably have sufficed, but Peter was struggling with the word agape (love). Yet, Jesus still asked him two more times. Peter's final answer was, "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you." Peter couldn't use the same word for love, but Jesus knew his heart. And after each response, Jesus counters with a simple request.
Wow! How would you feel or respond if you had failed or denied someone you loved, such as your spouse. And they asked you three times, if you really loved them? Would you start listing all the good things you've done or would do, to prove your love? We have all denied Jesus and failed Him many times also. Yet, Jesus was not looking for lavish words or promises from us. He knows how well we have done, just as He had seen Peter's accomplishments as a fisherman and as a disciple. Yet, it was not Jesus intention to shame Peter, in fact it was quite the contrary. Jesus always loved Peter. Jesus wanted to move Peter from the past to the future. He also wanted to share some things that were important and how he could prove his love. (John 14:15 and 1 John 2:6))
Peter had already spent three and a half years of intense training with the Lord. He had left everything to followed the Messiah. He ate, drank and slept near Jesus, plus he saw many miracles. He always wanted to be close to Jesus; to help or even defend his Master. Peter had tried so hard to please the Lord, but in the end, it was his pride that had to be dealt with if he was really going to be beneficial in helping others. That was accomplished and now he was ready, even though Peter hardly felt like it or worthy. Peter realized that he would always be dependent on the Lord, just as we should be.
God's grace often comes to us when we least expected it.
This is the area I would like to highlight: this was one of those times for Peter. This was his "Rite of Passage." A time for Peter to withdraw from his current status and prepare to move to another level. This was also God commissioning Peter, who had become a son, even though he did not realized it at the time. Peter had also been granted power and authority to carry out his mission. All of that was accomplished by this simple act of God's grace. Peter had done nothing special to earn or deserve it, except to say "yes" and then God stepped into Peter's life and heart. Now, it was just the two of them standing there on the beach looking at each other; face to face. Then Jesus asks him a simple question, three times, and that was all it took. Wow!
Peter was now a shepherd over God's sheep, he was to feed the lambs and lead His sheep (by example) and to care for their needs. But most important, Peter was to keep his eyes on Jesus and follow Him. Peter was not to concern himself with the future or his past, nor the future of other apostles, even though Jesus gave him some clues of his own future. Peter was to follow Jesus (Christ Spirit) and obey His simple requests, that all.
As followers and disciples of Jesus Christ, we have left our old ways and/or possession. But despite our efforts and mistakes, it is still by God's grace alone that we are offered the "Rite of Passage." In other words, you may hear Jesus say to you, "Do you love me?" And after that, "Follow Me." (Luke 9:23) Jesus Christ is not looking for special words, promises or performance, just a simple 'yes' and then submit to His will. This is also the beginning of Sonship.
Note: Peter still made some mistakes and that is why we too should demonstrate God's grace, especially toward spiritual leaders. We are either commissioned to be a shepherd and/or a witnesses. The heavenly Father has large flocks of sheep and many of them are still lost. They are of all ages, sizes, colors, cultures and spiritual levels of maturity, and they all need help, including you and me. But, most of all we need God's love and the world needs our love.
