Peter is
introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew, who tells him, “We have found the Messiah!” (John 1:41-42) Jesus’ first words to
him after sizing him up are, “You are
Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas (a stone).” What must
Peter have thought of that? How could Jesus know anything about his character,
either now or in the future?
Peter also
witnessed all the same things as John, and even performed miracles himself
during the time that Jesus sent them off through the countryside two by two. He
must have been offended when Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman as he
was a very devout Jew. Even after Jesus’ ascension, Peter would still have
trouble making the transition to the new covenant. Even when he is given the
vision of the picnic blanket full of unclean animals let down from heaven and
told to eat, he dares to refuse, repulsed by doing anything contrary to the
ceremonial law he had always followed. (Acts 10:9-16)
But even
though he is slow to learn lessons, and often has to be confronted over his
return to his old ways, (Galatians 2:7-21) he does eventually learn. In Acts 15:1-12
Peter says, “So God, who knows the heart,
acknowledged them (the Gentiles) by
giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction
between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you
test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our
fathers nor we were able to bear?”
John
mentions Peter seven more times in his gospel;
1. During the washing of the disciples’
feet, when he is embarrassed by it and tells Jesus He can never wash his feet.
When Jesus explains its’ importance, he goes to the other extreme, asking for a
whole bath. (John 13:3-17)
2. During Jesus’ arrest when Peter
impetuously tries to ‘protect’ Jesus. (John 18:10,11)
3. During Jesus’ trial when Peter denies
Jesus three times, as predicted. (John 18:15-27)
4. On Resurrection morning, at the empty
tomb, when he barrels past John into the empty tomb.(John 20:2-10)
5. That evening in the upper room, when
Jesus reveals Himself to the disciples in His glorified body. (John 20:19-23)
6. A week later, on Sunday with the
disciples, including Thomas. (John 20:24-29)
7. After the great catch of fish, when
Peter is restored.
Peter was
undoubtedly dejected and depressed after his denials of Jesus, after he had
promised to die with Him (John 13:37) Even after seeing the empty tomb, and
seeing Jesus in person twice, he couldn’t seem to get past it to be effective
for the kingdom. So he went back to what was familiar to him, commercial
fishing. After all, how do you begin to turn the world upside down? (Acts 17:6)
However,
when he goes fishing with his other professional fishermen, God chose not to
bless their old way of life, beginning the transition to a new calling. When
Jesus calls to them from shore, their one word answer to the question of success
says it all. “No.” But with Jesus word, there’s a blessing on their endeavours.
The large catch of fish would’ve reminded them of Jesus words, “I will make you fishers of men,” and the
parable of the dragnet (Matthew 13:47-49).The success of the church is
guaranteed.
The
breakfast Jesus prepared for them of bread and fish would have reminded them of
the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus will provide for His people. And
standing around the coal fire (John 21:9) would have called to mind the night
of Peter’s denial of Jesus (John 18:18).
But in order
for Peter to move forward, Jesus knew he not only needed a personal touch, but
a public vindication before the others. So the Lord restores him by asking him
to affirm his love for Him three times, almost as if he is undoing the three
denials. He is commissioned to care for Jesus’ sheep (the church). (John
21:1-23)
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