“…strengthen and build up your brothers.”
Luke 22:32
Peter sat on the pier threading the rope and knotting it as he repaired the net, a tool of his trade, a fisherman of Galilee. The sun beat down on the dock, his face shielded by a wide-brimmed hat, a hallmark of those who were valued for their catch of the day. Peter instinctively prepared for the task at hand, a night of fishing with the band of brothers that now had a unique and precious bond—they had previously left their nets and followed a man they came to know as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,”1 traveled with Him while He preached the Good News of forgiveness of sins, and experienced the prophecy fulfilling Jesus’ earthly sojourn to His death on the cross and His divine resurrection three days later. All of these events together were difficult to comprehend, his understanding limited by his efforts to make things happen.2
He was a leader, respected among them for his take charge, prepared for anything attitude, and his zeal to overcome any obstacle to achieving his goal. He would be the one pushing them to fish during the cool of night until dawn in to fill their boat to capacity. Yet, as he mended his net in the heat of the day, all of this seemed so futile and unimportant. When his earthly journey ended, for what would he be remembered—Simon, the great fisherman?
Peter—the chief leader who deserted and denied the Son of God—had failed the One he chose to follow, and the shame within him shook the foundation of faith that Christ acknowledged when He said, “upon this Rock I will build my church.”3 Fishing for mullet seemed so much easier than becoming a “fisher of men,” as Christ had called him to be.4 He was looking forward to the still of the night and the gratification of the catch he anticipated, hoping that a return to the trade he knew best would help him make sense of the last few weeks … and the change he felt within.
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When Jesus first appeared to the tight group of Believers that had encamped behind closed doors,5 the Son of God had already shown His glory to Peter—the first apostle to witness Christ resurrected from the dead.6 Peter had been the one to whom God had revealed that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,”7 and he had been singled out as the one first to restore the faith that had been “sifted like wheat” by Satan.8 Yet, although he believed in Christ’s resurrection and all of the power, miracles, and forgiveness that only the Father and the Son freely give, he still would not surrender to Jesus and allow Him to take from his heart his burden of desertion and denial—he had yet to repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness.9
His failure was in conflict with his pride. His weakness in the flesh was in a battle with his strength in the Spirit warring against the evil tormentors of sin. But a transformation began when he experienced Christ after His death and resurrection. He was experiencing the dying of his pride—the death of his sin—as Christ breathed on him and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”10 The divine power that he felt growing within brought death to his sin and overcame his pride, now weak from the humbling experiences of brokenness.11
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“I’m going fishing,”12 Peter called out to the brothers who’d gathered on the pier throughout the day. He was ready to move on with his life—if he was a failure for Christ, he certainly wasn’t about to fail at his passion since childhood.
“We’ll come, too,” they all said.13 He wasn’t sure what their response might be. He no longer presumed his charge, not since the denial, but he was thankful that this band of brothers did not desert him like they all did to Jesus when they fled from the olive garden the night of their last supper with their Master.14 Maybe that was what kept them together—the remorse of leaving behind their teacher and friend. Misery seeks company, and they all needed a night of camaraderie and fulfillment from a catch that filled their nets—but they caught nothing all night.15
Peter sat in the boat, his back against the gunwale as he contemplated this night void of any reward for their efforts. He had decided to head back to the pier, hoping to dock before daybreak, before any other fishing boat returned, to avoid the embarrassment of returning empty handed. This was not like their typical fishing expeditions where they would return with a prize catch. His spirit was weary. The burden of failure he carried was taking its toll. The more he tried to shoulder it and overcome the hole in his pride by filling it with tried and true accomplishments, the less capable he proved to himself to lead and strengthen his brothers. They all were sullen and somber. A cloud of defeat hung over them like an overcast day.
The rocking of the boat as it rose and fell over the roll of the waves relaxed him. His head drooped to his chest, and he drifted into a nap before docking. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers.16 Peter abruptly awoke as he continued to hear a still small voice from within. I am praying for you. Repent and turn to me. Your faith shall not fail. Strengthen your brothers.
How long had he been napping? It seemed like he had just closed his eyes, yet he could see across the sea as dawn’s light radiated on the horizon. This new day reminded him of a previous one where Jesus had used his boat from which to teach the multitudes congregating on the shoreline.17 It amazed him how, when Jesus spoke, all of them on shore could hear clearly every word He said as if He were standing next to each one of them.
“Friends, have you caught any fish?”18 Peter jumped up, startled at the break in the recollection of his memory due to the sound of a voice that seemed to come from just over the side of the boat. Looking to shore, he saw a man waving towards them. Several of the brothers yelled out to him, “No,” as they were about one hundred meters from shore.19 Yet the man’s reply came as if he were standing among them in the boat, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!”20
Peter’s mind raced to the vision of the memory he had moments ago before this voice interrupted him. He pictured their Master in this same boat speaking to a crowd on the beach, and when He finished speaking, He said to him, “Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish.”21
Without hesitation, he began to throw out the net over the right side of the boat and as it sank beneath the clear water they saw their net fill with a prime catch. At that moment, Peter and John looked at each other, their eyes wide with anticipation, their minds playing the same memory, the void in their hearts filling with their love for their Master.
“It is the Lord!” John said to Peter. Grabbing his tunic, for he had stripped for work, Peter quickly put it on and jumped into the water to swim ashore.22
Standing on the beach dressed as a fisherman and with a catch of his own, the Master knelt down to stir the coals of fire, fish laid on it and bread set to the side.23
“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said.24
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The camaraderie and breakfast with their Master not only filled their appetite but the once despondent disciples were now filled with joy. They gathered by the boat sorting out their miraculous catch, talking about memories together with Jesus among them. Laughter rolled from the bunch as Jesus and Peter remained by the fire, Peter poking absently at the coals with a stick, his thoughts focused on his dream on the boat and the still small voice saying, Turn to me.
Then Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” referring to the other disciples.25 When Jesus asked him this, He was asking about the active love His people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies26—unconditional love.
Without hesitation and answering Him with affectionate brotherly love, Peter replied, “Yes Lord, you know I love you,” 27 His heart began to stir. But he heard a tormented voice in the back of his mind—I don’t even know the man! 28
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.29
Peter looked at his Master for clarification, a question on his face as to the purpose of Jesus’ request. His thoughts conflicted with Jesus’ words.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”30 This time, Jesus meant the love that one has for a brother.
Peter’s eyes grew sad as his mind took him to the courtyard of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where Jesus was first tried, and he heard himself say, I am not! 31 Peter fought against this memory, words of denial and emotion of shame, as his vision became blurry from tears beginning to swell in his eyes.
“Yes, Lord,” Peter paused as he cleared the lump forming in his throat, “You know I love you.”32
“Then take care of my sheep,”33 Jesus said looking into Peter’s eyes as He did that night when the rooster crowed. Peter saw in the eyes of Jesus—the Son of God that he denied knowing three times—the same compassion that He portrayed for him the last time they had broken bread together. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. These words of comfort floated through his mind.
A third time, Jesus asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”34 Jesus reached out to him touching his hand, and the same strength overcame him as it did that day when he sank beneath the waves of doubt and skepticism when he cried out—Save me, Lord! 35
He felt the power of Christ lifting from him the burden of shame, the guilt of denial, the fall of defeat, and the sorrow of desertion. Peter let go of all that he had been holding onto out of pride and self-confidence that he could overcome this spiritual battle with his own earthly power. At that moment, he gave Christ the authority over his life, his destiny, and his mission on earth. He felt the glory of God filling every inch of his frame as he blubbered, as tears of grief flooded his eyes, and as his heart cried out—Forgive me, Lord!
Sobbing, he said, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”36
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. The truth is, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will direct you and take you were you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”37
The Rock was restored. The baton was passed. And now it is being passed to you. What then will you do to follow Christ?
I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”38 —The Risen One
Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.
Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry, 2016 by Jeff Cambridge
References
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Verses marked NKJV are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
1. Mathew 16:16
2. Luke 24:45
3. Matthew 16:18
4. Matthew 4:19 NKJV
5. John 20:19
6. Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5
7. Matthew 16:16
8. Luke 22:31
9. Luke 22:32
10. John 20:22
11. Romans 6:5-11
12. John 21:3
13. John 21:3
14. Matthew 26:56
15. John 21:3
16. Luke 22:32
17. Luke 5:3
18. John 21:5
19. John 21:8
20. John 21:6
21. Luke 5:4
22. John 21:7
23. John 21:9
24. John 21:12
25. John 21:15
26. Strong’s Concordance, KJV, pp. 1587.
27. John 21:15
28. Luke 22:57
29. John 21:15
30. John 21:16
31. John 18:17, 25, 27
32. John 21:16
33. John 21:16
34. John 21:17
35. Matthew 14:30
36. John 21:17
37. John 21:17-19
38. Matthew 28:18-20
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