Reinstatement
This week is on John 21:15-17:
These verses take place after Jesus performs a major fishing miracle, or at least an act of deep fishing discernment. He told the disciples where to get a major catch of fish after they'd come up empty handed. It mirrors the first miracle he performed to get Simon's attention. It was no accident.
The fishing miracle speaks to Simon more than anyone else, because he is a fishing expert. He knows that what just happened is not normal or even possible through normal means. Jesus is interacting with Simon on a very personal level here in performing a miracle specifically to impress him. But there's also something more going on.
By performing another fishing miracle and reaching out to Simon that way, it's like they're starting their relationship all over again. That becomes more meaningful when they have their conversation about love and responsibility. Simon had denied Jesus three times, when he last was given an opportunity to stand by his side. Now he gets a chance to do it over again and affirm Jesus and stand with him, and he takes it.
Jesus has such love for Simon to approach him the way he did. He could have been like "I'm not giving this clown any more jobs. John come on over here, I have something for you. Simon, go back to fishing." Or he could have just been generic about it and forgave him and then started talking business. Instead, he engages Simon in the core of his being, and gently walks him through being reconciled over something he was probably still very ashamed of.
Simon had proved himself to be anything but trustworthy, and yet now Jesus has given him the biggest responsibility of all: to care for his church and make disciples. With a divinely orchestrated fish dinner still digesting, literally filled with a miracle, Simon is given a chance to take control of his life and get back on the path God had for him in the beginning.
The way God works is so beautiful to see sometimes. There's nothing we can do to destroy his love for us. He sees us for who we are and chooses us anyway.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
These verses take place after Jesus performs a major fishing miracle, or at least an act of deep fishing discernment. He told the disciples where to get a major catch of fish after they'd come up empty handed. It mirrors the first miracle he performed to get Simon's attention. It was no accident.
The fishing miracle speaks to Simon more than anyone else, because he is a fishing expert. He knows that what just happened is not normal or even possible through normal means. Jesus is interacting with Simon on a very personal level here in performing a miracle specifically to impress him. But there's also something more going on.
By performing another fishing miracle and reaching out to Simon that way, it's like they're starting their relationship all over again. That becomes more meaningful when they have their conversation about love and responsibility. Simon had denied Jesus three times, when he last was given an opportunity to stand by his side. Now he gets a chance to do it over again and affirm Jesus and stand with him, and he takes it.
Jesus has such love for Simon to approach him the way he did. He could have been like "I'm not giving this clown any more jobs. John come on over here, I have something for you. Simon, go back to fishing." Or he could have just been generic about it and forgave him and then started talking business. Instead, he engages Simon in the core of his being, and gently walks him through being reconciled over something he was probably still very ashamed of.
Simon had proved himself to be anything but trustworthy, and yet now Jesus has given him the biggest responsibility of all: to care for his church and make disciples. With a divinely orchestrated fish dinner still digesting, literally filled with a miracle, Simon is given a chance to take control of his life and get back on the path God had for him in the beginning.
The way God works is so beautiful to see sometimes. There's nothing we can do to destroy his love for us. He sees us for who we are and chooses us anyway.
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