John 21 | What's the lesson for me today?

I see a message of repentance and restoration in these texts that are captivating my heart. At the death of Jesus, Peter, having denied Jesus, goes back to being a fisher of fish. For those of you that remember, Peter was called to be a fisher of men. He lost his identity in Christ. He denied Christ, and as a result, denied who Christ called him to be. He had one place to go back to. Back he went. Then something changed.

John recognizes that the man on the shore is Jesus. Peter puts his garment back on and dives into the water, hurrying back to his first love. It is amazing how much this resembles the prodigal son. Peter hurries back and shares a meal with Jesus. The three times Jesus gives the opportunity for Peter to face what he had done. I find it particularly interesting how it took three times for Peter to feel the grief of Jesus' questioning. The text does not explicitly say, but I figure that much of the experience Peter had in that moment was trying to forget what happened instead of face it.

The question Jesus beings with is an interesting one, "Do you love me more than these?" The these He was talking about was likely the fish he ran back to. Perhaps it was symbolizing the running back to the flesh. It was commonly understood through Scripture that those who denied the Lord did so for the gratification of the flesh. For example, Esau sold his birthright for a morsel of bread. Would Peter be as one whose god was his belly? Peter answers that he loves Jesus. So Jesus tells him what that love looks like. The concern is no longer on the fish and the gratification of self. It is on the Lord and what the Lord loves. Jesus takes this time to take this man who drew back to the flesh and makes him yet again a fisher of men.

Peter did not let his shame keep him from the Lord, but as he sat with the Lord, he had to face his shame. Jesus does not flinch, nor does He sit and criticize. Peter jumped out of the boat and hastened back. That is repentance. The effort of restoration still was painful as Peter had to face his shame. In his grief he confessed that Jesus knew all things. He knew that Jesus knew. Jesus told him it would happen. And now, Jesus is restoring him.

How often in our own experience do we shrink back from repentance out of fear of what the Lord would say? He is already aware of the mistakes we are aware of. Did He not die for us even when we were still sinners? When we were without strength He died for the ungodly. Do not fear facing your shame. Face it with the Lord. Do not ignore it or avoid it. Let the Lord mend that wound that sin created. Be softened clay in the hands of the Potter and let Him shape you. Repent. Run to Him and let Him perform His restorative work.

What lesson are you taking from this passage?