Tag: awakeninghope

Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” – John 21:18-19, NKJV

Yesterday we looked at how Peter declared he would die for Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35) but then denied Him three times. Ask yourself, why would Peter say something so bold? Was it because Peter said lots of things he later regrets? It’s possible, there’s plenty of evidence throughout scripture of Peter talking without thinking (both positive and negative examples). Personally I believe there is another reason.

What if God put that desire in Peter’s heart? What if God planted a seed in Peter’s heart that one day he would die for his Savior and Lord? It’s really hard to know for sure if that’s what happened but I do know this: if God plants a dream or desire in your heart, not matter how large or small it may be, God will also provide everything you need to accomplish it at the absolutely perfect time.

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. – John 21:15-17, NKJV

Peter was a bold man. In Matthew 26:31-35 we see Peter declaring that if everyone else forsakes Jesus, he wouldn’t. Peter said he would die before denying Jesus. We all know what happened next. Peter denied Jesus three times and then the rooster crowed. Peter ran away crying and ashamed. Then we come to today’s passage. A lot of commentators say Jesus asked these three questions, once for each denial to restore Peter which is very possible. There is one more thing I want you to see though.

The first two times Jesus asked Peter if Peter loves Him with a Godly love (agapao). Peter’s response both times was yes, you know I love you with a brotherly love (phileo). The third time Jesus changes it and asks Peter if Peter loves Him with a brotherly love (phileo). God’s standard is Godly love (agapao). Jesus knew Peter wasn’t there yet and Peter was well aware of it too. Jesus didn’t use Peter’s shortcoming as a way to shame Peter but as an invitation by meeting Peter where he was. It was in the midst of Peter’s shortcoming that Jesus commissioned him (v15 Feed My lambs; v16 Tend My Sheep; v17 Feed My sheep). If we look back to Luke 5:8-11, Peter said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” But Jesus responded with, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Our hope is not that we are called because we’re worthy but that we’re worthy because we’re called.

Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” – John 21:9-10, NKJV

As I picture this unfolding in my mind, I imagine a large section of the beach covered with coals. On the coals, more than enough bread and fish but there’s this one small gap where it’s just coals. Jesus points to the small empty area of coals and says, “I saved a spot for some of the fish you just caught. Why don’t you put a couple of them right here.”

The funny thing is Jesus didn’t need any fish from the disciples. After all, Jesus was the one who provided the fish for the disciples in the first place. Left to the disciples own abilities, they would have landed on shore empty handed. But that’s exactly what gives me hope. Jesus invites us to participate with Him even when we ourselves have little to offer.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. – John 21:3, NKJV

Just prior to John 21, Jesus died, rose from the grave, and appeared to his disciples. Then there was a period of silence and waiting. That’s where today’s verse picks up. Some commentaries say in verse 3 the disciples were walking away from the ministry. If I was in the disciples’ shoes, it’s hard to say that I wouldn’t walk away and go back to something I know.

The disciples spend all night fishing and have nothing to show for it. Some random guy on the shore has the audacity to ask what they caught and tells them what they should have tried (v4-6). Strangely these expert fishermen follow the stranger’s advice and end up with the catch of a lifetime (v6). One of the disciples recognized the stranger was actually Jesus so Peter jumps overboard and swims to shore. What a great story, right? The problem is we miss out on more if we stop here.

Roughly three years prior we see a similar story unfold. In Luke 5 Peter spends all night fishing without getting a single fish and Jesus tells him to try again (v5). The result is the catch of a lifetime (v6). How does Peter respond? Depart from me, for I am a sinful man (v8). Another way of saying it is, “Don’t look at me until I clean up the junk in my life. Then I’ll be more worthy.”

There’s one more story we need to look at before we finish to see the progression of Peter and it happened between these other two. It’s found in Matthew 14. Jesus sent the disciples off ahead of Him (v22). The disciples see Him walking on the water and they think He’s a ghost (v25-26). Jesus calms them down (v27). Peter’s response found in verse 28 and 29 is what I want us to look at. “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come and I will.” Jesus says come and Peter hops out of the boat and walks on the water.

I don’t know about you but this really give me hope. God can take an ordinary fisherman with a really cool name and take him from a place of self pity, doubt, & insecurity (Luke 5) to a place where he’s willing to jump out of a boat as long as there’s confirmation (Matthew 14) to a place where he has enough confidence that he’ll immediately jump out of the boat (John 21).