After
the resurrection, John records an event that took place on the Sea of Galilee,
John 21:1 – 25. Peter told the disciples that he was going fishing, and a group
the disciples went with him. They fished all night and caught nothing. Early
that morning, they heard a familiar voice from the shore, “Children, have you caught
anything?” The word “children” is the Greek word pie-dion. This was a term
of endearment that a parent would call their own children. This was not how you
would refer to a boatful of men who had been fishing all night, and had caught
nothing! Jesus had other nicknames for His disciples, like little-faiths, and sons
of thunder, rocky, and twin. The personal and intimate humor
of the Scripture is sometimes overlooked. Calling this tired and unsuccessful
group of rough fishermen, pie-dion, was one of those times.
The next
thing Jesus said revealed His identity to one of them, “Cast the net on the right side
of the boat, and you will find some.” When they did, it was full of
fish! This had happened before (Luke 5:1 – 11), and was the occasion for an
experience for Peter with the Lord that changed the direction of his life.
Jesus was reminding Peter of that earlier decision with this second miraculous catch
of fish. John simply says, “It’s the Lord!” With that, Peter
jumps in the water and swims to shore. When he arrived, he found Jesus sitting
by a fire with grilled fish and warm bread waiting for him. Jesus said, “Come
and have breakfast.” As they ate, the conversation began.
“Simon, son of
John, do you love me more than these?” Jesus did not use the name He had given Peter, but
rather his old name he had before he met Jesus. It was as if Jesus was starting
over with Peter. And you wonder what Jesus was referring to when He said these.
Was He pointing to the fish? Or to the boats? Or to the beautiful hills and Sea
of Galilee? Maybe all the above.
Peter
answered, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.” The word that Jesus used
for “love” was the Greek word agape, which is the highest
expression of love in the Greek language. It was reserved for describing divine
love, a perfect love. Peter answered with a different word for “love,” the
Greek word phileo, which is the highest expression of human love, family love.
Peter had learned the hard way that he had some spiritual growing ahead of him
and that he was just not there yet. He was humbled by this breakfast
conversation.
With each
exchange, Jesus gives Peter his new direction and calling, “Feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed
my sheep….” The growth of lambs to sheep requires feeding, tending, and
more feeding. The spiritual growth of a follower of Christ also requires
feeding upon the milk of God’s word, the nurture of a fellowship of believers,
with a continual hunger and feeding upon the meat of God’s word. It was a new
beginning for Peter. His past failures and denial of Christ was forgiven. The
Lord was pointing Peter forward with a new vision for his life in God’s
Kingdom. Jesus ended the conversation with “Follow me.”
Today,
meditate, not upon the past, but upon the next step God has before you.
Everything about God’s Kingdom is forward-looking by following Christ. Through
blessings, failures, victories, tragedies, disappointments, and miracles,
follow Jesus Christ. He has promised to keep you and see you through it all,
with Him. God is for you. Love Him more than these.
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