Throughout the gospel of John, he has made it very clear that his choice of events and his great detail in recording these events were to present Christ’s beauty and grace in such a manner as to draw you to Jesus Christ. The writers of the gospels had each been endowed by the Holy Spirit with a special gift to write down these memories incorporating a part of each writer’s personality and at the same time presenting God’s word to us. God loves to use our uniqueness in a manner to display the wonderful diversity of His beauty. So, it is not surprising that John’s final recorded event was when Jesus came to Peter with such grace and love. Ever so gently, Jesus came to commission Peter to lead the church. So, let’s lay the groundwork to this chapter.
photo courtesy of Jim Peregoy. I added the captions.
Privately, in the upper room at the last supper, Peter had sworn his allegiance to Jesus. He swore that he would die before he would allow Jesus to be taken. Jesus told him that before the cock crowed three times, he would have denied Jesus 3 times. Peter thought that this could never happen; yet, just as Jesus had predicted—Peter did deny Jesus three times while in the courtyard. (If you want to read more detail about that go to “What to Do If I Fail with All My Heart?”) After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus had already appeared two times to the apostles. In neither of those appearances did Jesus mention the betrayal. No, doubt Peter’s heart was rejoicing in the truth of the resurrection. Yet, deep within lay the sorrow of his own betrayal of Jesus. There was that wound that cut deep into his own heart. That pain when you know you have caused pain to someone you love. Worse, that pain which you feel when the Holy Spirit convicts you and you suddenly realized that you have betrayed Jesus (the love of your life). I have too often been right there where Peter stood—filled with the joy of Grace while at the same time fearing that I failed God. [bctt tweet=”Truth is God knew–just as He did with Peter–every time I would fall down & He still chose me”]
Look at the gentle, loving response of Jesus toward Peter. Read Chapter 21 of John. Peter had gone out fishing and several of the apostles had gone with him. They had fished all night without catching anything. Truly a blow in the ego of an accomplished fisherman like Peter. Then, there on the shore Jesus called out and told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. Suddenly the net was filled with fish. John whispered to Peter that it was Jesus. Peter who had been naked, put on his cloak and swam to shore—not willing to wait until they could row to shore. On arrival, Jesus had already prepared a fire, some fish and bread to feed them. Then, Jesus bids Peter to walk with Him along shore. Once alone, He asks Peter “Do you love me?” He asks this three times. Each time Peter replies, “Yes!” Jesus commissions Peter to “feed the sheep.” Peter was to spread the gospel throughout the Jewish nation primarily.
GENTLE, LOVING GRACE
John ends his gospel with this story of grace. Why? I think it is for each of us to realize the magnitude and the beauty of God’s Grace toward each of us.
1. Jesus came back and met Peter where He had first met him. The first meeting of Jesus with Peter had been on these shores, where Peter had failed to catch any fish after fishing all night. Jesus had commissioned Peter then to follow and become a fisher of men. Now, Jesus returns and meets Him at the shore once more. Once more to call Peter out to the ministry. When, we fail—when we fall down. Jesus comes and meets us right there where we are. For each of us, it is right there at the foot of the cross that we may lay all our guilt and shame. He has covered it all. Each day is a new beginning with Christ—all the failures of yesterday are gone as we bow before Him with our sorrows over our defeats.
2. Jesus then met the physical needs of Peter. It had been a long night of fishing. Certainly Peter was hungry and tired. Jesus fed Peter with a breakfast first. He meets our needs. He knows that we cannot always think clearly when we are too hungry or too tired. He is concerned about our physical needs as well.
3. Then, His only question to Peter was, “Do you love me?” The only criteria to be in service for God is loving Him. It is not about being eloquent or even always being perfect ourselves—it is about loving God and letting Him do the rest.
[bctt tweet=”What wondrous, marvelous, Amazing Grace we are given. New Grace each morning. “]
“16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy” (Psalm 59). “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4)
I previously filmed a video “What to do when you get it wrong” and I want to share that again here as it was about Peter. At the beginning of the video I said, “I woke up with a heavy heart. Sometimes, God allows me to feel burdened for those who are struggling or lost. I may not even know for certain for whom, but I wake up feeling another’s pain. Sometimes, He reminds me of the frailty of my own person so that I might rely more heavily on Him. I hope this video helps you and if you need the narrative go to: What to do when you get it all wrong. Here is the video:
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.