Monday Motivation: Redeemed

Friends

I have been mulling over this scripture passage in John 21 for several weeks, so I decided to make it a story. Perhaps my musings will give you something to ponder too!

 

+++

 

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Matthew 16:18 – NIV

 

The chilly night wind sent a shiver up his spine as Peter stared out across the black water. From his perch in the bow of the boat, he could feel the hull bob up and down,, the waves cresting and falling beneath him in a rhythmic motion. The rocking movement was enough to put most of his fishing companions to sleep, but not Peter. He had too much on his mind to rest.

 

Come to think of it, Peter had been robbed of rest for days. He didn’t know what to do with himself. His restlessness had kept him up at night. He couldn’t manage much of a nap in the daytime either, his mind too much of a mess. He had come home to Galilee, thinking that would help him sort things out, but it hadn’t. Nothing felt quite right, nothing felt like it was supposed to be. 

 

Not knowing what else to do, he had gathered his net and gone fishing, his friends tagging along. Like Peter, the other disciples didn’t seem to know what to do with themselves either, so several of them had climbed into the boat with him.

 

They had been at it for hours now, and they hadn’t caught anything. It was like the fish had vanished, much like his former life. Only days before, he was strolling along beside his Master, hanging on his every word, content to follow him anywhere. Peter had followed Jesus into Jerusalem, watching as bystanders threw their cloaks on the road in front of Jesus, heard them as they waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” Peter had followed Jesus into the temple, standing there flabbergasted as his friend turned over the tables and upended the bird cages. He had followed Jesus everywhere, even up the stairs to the Upper Room to share the Passover meal. That’s when everything in Peter’s life had started to shift. The storm was brewing then, and in the hours that followed, the winds of change would rock Peter’s boat like never before.

 

As Peter stared out over the rolling waves, he thought about the hours and days that followed that final meal with Jesus, and all he could think about was failure. He had failed Jesus over and over, and now,  he couldn’t forgive himself for it. 

 

Peter remembered his race to the tomb, and his long, heartbroken trudge home after finding it empty. With a smile, he recalled his shock when Mary Magdalene burst into the room exclaiming, “I have seen the Lord!” Later that evening, gathered with his friends behind locked doors, he, too, had seen Jesus alive. Joy had flooded his soul at the sight of Jesus, but that joy had not vanquished the guilt that he harbored deep within his soul. He had failed Jesus. How could his Master ever look at him in the same way again? How could Jesus ever forgive him for what he had done? Jesus had proclaimed that he had come to set the captives free, but the chains of shame that bound Peter’s heart remained unbroken.

 

Seeing the first hint of light on the horizon, Peter shook his head in dismay as these thoughts churned through his mind for the millionth time. What was he to do now? He was not worthy of anything. As he stared at his empty net, he sighed in disgust. Fishing was all that was left for him now,and apparently, he wasn’t even good at that anymore either. 

 

As the dawning light flickered over the boat, Peter’s friends began to stir. John rose and came forward to inspect the net, clearly disappointed to find it empty. That’s when they heard a voice calling from the shoreline. Peter hadn’t noticed the man standing there before, but now the stranger asked, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

 

All his friends were now wide awake, and together they answered, “No!”

 

The  stranger replied, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

 

The fishermen wasted no time re-casting the net, and within seconds, the net was teeming with fish! Peter was dumbfounded as he stared at the bulging net, but his amazement multiplied when he heard John exclaim, “It is the Lord!” As soon as he heard the words, Peter knew they were true. It was Jesus! Jesus was here, alive, with them, and nothing, absolutely nothing, would stop Peter from reaching out to Jesus. He threw on his cloak and jumped into the waves, clamoring for the water’s edge.

 

Beside a bed of hot coals and cooking fish, Jesus stood smiling, watching with amusement as a drenched Peter bounded across the sand. Peter felt like he had waited for years to see that blessedly familiar smile. Daring to meet Jesus’ eyes, Peter grinned for the first time in days.

 

The other disciples had steered the boat toward shore, and now stood at the rail, staring at Jesus, smiles on their faces. They knew exactly who this man was. It was their beloved teacher and friend. With a bemused tone in his gentle voice, he instructed, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

 

Peter didn’t wait for the others, but instead, jumped in the boat, grabbed the bulging net, and manhandled the heavy load onto the sand. He couldn’t believe his eyes. There must be more than 150 fish in that haul! A grin spread across his face as he thought, “It’s a miracle!” Then his grin stretched even wider as he heard Jesus say, “Come and have breakfast.” 

 

It was like going back in time, sharing a meal of bread and fish with Jesus. They were all laughing and talking, and despite all his regrets over his failures, Peter felt his heart lighten a bit. 

 

Then without a hint of warning, Jesus turned to Peter and stared directly into his eyes, a serious tone in his questioning voice, “Peter, do you love me more than these?”

 

Peter was caught off-guard. “Lord, you know that I love you.”

 

“Feed my lambs,” Jesus responded, a knowing look in his eyes. Then he asked again, “Peter, do you love me?”

 

Peter was taken aback. Hadn’t Jesus heard his reply. Again, he responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

 

“Take care of my sheep,” Jesus instructed, but he didn’t stop there. With a firm gaze and somber face, Jesus stared hard into Peter’s eyes. “Peter, do you love me?”

 

Now Peter was hurt. Had he not just answered that question twice? Wasn’t Jesus listening? Does he not believe me? Why would  he ask me the same question three times? Frustration creeping into his voice, Peter replied, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

 

Jesus looked deep into Peter’s eyes as he gently instructed,“Feed my sheep.”

 

Peter stood there staring at Jesus’ face, trying to understand. Why did Jesus keep on asking the same question? Why three times? Something inside Peter clicked.. His heart pounded in his chest as he recalled Jesus’ words  from the garden, “Peter, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” Shame flooded his soul as he remembered how he had denied knowing Jesus in the temple courtyard, but even as that painful memory rolled through his mind, another idea began to form. Was Jesus giving him a chance to make amends? Was Jesus giving him the chance to profess his love for him? Had he asked three times, because that’s how many times Peter had denied knowing him?  

 

The hurt and shame that had consumed Peter for days began to dissipate, replaced by a new realization. Was Jesus trying to forgive him? After all this time, could he really be forgiven? Not only that, but Jesus kept telling him to ‘Feed my sheep.’ Could Jesus still have work for him to do? After all his failures, could he be worthy of that?

 

As Peter met Jesus’ eyes, he saw tenderness there. He saw compassion, and he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was forgiven. Joy flooded his soul, and with it, came hope. A new resolve coursed through his veins, and he vowed that he would follow Jesus wherever He led. He wouldn’t fail him again. Another memory floated into his mind, words Jesus had spoken to him long ago, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…” 

 

With a hint of a smile playing on his lips,, Peter thought, “Maybe I might just become ‘the Rock’ Jesus talked about after all!”*

 

PRAYER

O Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of Peter, whom despite his faults and failures, was forgiven, redeemed, and declared worthy to lead Your church. Peter was shown grace, just as You show each of us grace despite our faults and failures. May we be worthy of the good work You have called us to do, and may all that we say and do honor You.

In the Forgiving Name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen

 

Easter Blessings,

Anita

 

*This story is adapted from the content of John 20, John 21, Matthew 16, and Matthew 26.

 

-APS 5/5/2025