Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanel, James and John are together. Jesus has appeared to them once since the resurrection. Peter decides to go fishing. Those there with him decide they will join him. They fish all night without a single catch. The morning finds them near the shore. Someone calls to them asking if they have caught anything. Hearing they had not, He tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. The net becomes so full they can’t pull it up. It is then, John tells Peter, “It is the Lord!” Peter had removed his outer garment. I believe it is out of respect for Jesus that he puts his outer garment on. He jumps into the water and meets Jesus on the shore.
Peter knows better than anyone else what he has done to his beloved Jesus. He surely must remember the eyes of Jesus meeting his, as his third denial leaves his lips. Now he is running in shallow water to get to His beloved Savior. Jesus has begun preparing a breakfast over an open fire. It is here that the public restoration of Simon Son of Jonah, begins. Jesus asks him three times, if he loves Him. Scripture says Peter was grieved that he is asked a third time. His denial was public. His restoration will be public as well. For each denial of Christ there was a question. Three times he denied knowing Jesus and three times he must declare his love for Him. He humbled himself there, by the fire, over breakfast, with a witness of men.
Thought For Today:
There are so many reasons Peter is the one I can relate to. He faltered in His relationship with Jesus. He of all followers would never deny his beloved Lord. But Jesus knew. Jesus always knows our heart. Peter was in the inner circle. He saw miracle after miracle. He stood on the Mount of Transfiguration. He heard the voice of God there, proclaiming Jesus was His Son. Still when asked, fear would cause him to deny knowing Jesus.
Perhaps we have declared, “Not me Lord, I could never deny You!” Are there times when we just don’t say anything? We stand quietly when we are in the midst of a conversation that we know is not in line with the teachings of Christ. We are quiet lest we say something that is not “politically correct?” Our friends might shun us for being too religious. Too spiritual.
We have reached a time when it is crucial that believers stand up and speak up. There are believers in other countries that are being brutally tortured and murdered because they refuse to renounce Christ as their Savior. We are still free. The threat of death for belief in Christ has not become an issue here. What would we do if that decision were required of us? The enemy wants to put business in front of us daily to give us pause. Make us fearful. We must not allow fear to keep us from proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God. We are sinners saved by grace through His shed blood. Like Peter, our commission is to feed His sheep.
Scripture For Today:
Luke 22:60-62
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly. (NKJV)
John 21: 15-17
15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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. (NKJV)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! We love Jesus but we often fail to speak up. Do You view silence the same as denial? We pray that we would have courage to claim Jesus as our Savior so that others might hear. We pray for boldness that speaks the things we know Jesus has done for us and will do for all who come to Him. We pray for the men, women and children in other parts of the world who are being tortured and murdered because they will not renounce Your Son. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
© 2015 Kathy Ledbetter all rights reserved