Steps of Redemption - 7: Restored

 “…strengthen and build up your brothers.”

Luke 22:32

The Adventures of Peter - Last Days begins with “Steps of Redemption - 1” posted on this blog.

This is the conclusion of that story...

I sat on the pier threading the rope and knotting it as I repaired the net, a tool of my trade, a fisherman of Galilee. The sun beat down on the dock, my face shielded by a wide-brimmed hat, a hallmark of those valued for their catch of the day. I instinctively prepared for the task at hand, a night of fishing with the band of brothers that now had a unique and precious bond—we had previously left our nets and followed a man we 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 His earthly sojourn to His death on the cross and His divine resurrection three days later. These events were difficult to comprehend, and my understanding was limited only by my efforts to make things happen.² I had to surrender, to surrender to the Man of God, who we called Rabbi, our Teacher—Jesus.

Peter was a leader, respected among them for his take charge, prepared-for-anything attitude, and zeal to overcome any obstacle to achieving his goal. He would push them to fish during the cool night until dawn 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.

 ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊

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

◊     ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊

“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 as 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 sought 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 unlike 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 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 Jesus  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 his own catch, 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

◊     ◊     ◊     ◊     ◊

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—his first denial that he was one of Jesus' followers.

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.²⁹

Peter looked at his Master for clarification, a question on his face about 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 denying a second time that he was one of Jesus' disciples. Peter fought against this memory, words of denial and emotions 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 where 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

* * *

  “The Adventures of Peter-The Last Days”

This story is Step 7 of a 7-part series.

Previously posted:

Steps of Redemption - 1: Stumbled

Steps of Redemption - 2: Vulnerable

Steps of Redemption - 3: Broken

Steps of Redemption - 4: Comforted

Steps of Redemption - 5: Singled Out

Steps of Redemption - 6: Believed

* * *  

 Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.

* * *

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry

2016 by Jeff Cambridge

2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media

* * *

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

Steps of Redemption - 6: Believed

 

“…and turned to me again…”

Luke 22:32

The Adventures of Peter - Last Days begins with “Steps of Redemption - 1” posted on this blog.

I had not moved from the position in which I had been praying since arriving home from the tomb where Jesus had been laid just three days before.¹ Mary Magdalene discovered the tomb was empty and reported what she had seen firsthand and heard from the angel: “Peter! Jesus has been raised from the dead! He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!” ²  

Kneeling on the stone floor, my head resting on folded hands propped up on a bench by the fire I had made. There is hope!

My mind played back to the events that led up to my run with John to the tomb—   

The night before the first day of the week, John and I took turns praying continuously in the upper room where the Twelve of us last supped with the Son of God  This familiar place brought comfort for our congregating after experiencing the most gruesome and tortuous eyewitness account of Jesus’ trials, torture, trek, testimony, and death  We were in awe of Jesus’ grace and mercy as he hung, nailed to the beams, looking down upon the crowd, saying, “Father, forgive these people because they don’t know what they are doing.” ³ Jesus’ words humbled me to the point of brokenness.

Peter wrestled with the thoughts of his erratic behavior over the past four days. He was frustrated with his rash actions in the garden when he struck the high priest’s servant with his sword⁴ and then fled.⁵ He felt demoralized by his spiritual vulnerability and the resulting disloyalty when he denied knowing his Lord three times.⁶ He was not the stalwart, invincible leader he promised to be for the Twelve.                

He recalled the boasts he had made⁷—after they had broken bread, given thanks, and passed the cup⁸—when they argued about who was the greatest amongst them.⁹ Jesus put their pride in perspective when he humbled them, saying, “In this world, the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” ¹⁰

At that moment, he thought of Jesus and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.¹¹ What was it about John with which Jesus so identified? John was the youngest and by far the most trusting and loving of the Twelve. Jesus favored Peter, John, and his older brother James in His demonstration of signs and miracles, and Peter as the leadership of this band of brothers.¹² Yet he, Cephas—the Rock¹³—routinely blundered in his self-appointed role as their leader.¹⁴ 

Peter’s mind looked back to his first confession of Chri t. He felt the pride he had experienced for being the one to answer Jesus’ question to the disciples traveling with Him, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Before his mind had even considered the question, Peter had answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁵ It was not of his own thinking, but as Christ himself acknowledged, “You are blessed, Simon, son of John because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” Then Jesus warned them not to tell this to anyone¹⁶—not that Jesus feared for His life, but rather, that He did not want to lose a single one of them¹⁷ on account of their confession. Peter recalled Jesus’ explanation, “For I, the Son of Man, must suffer many terrible things. I will be rejected by the leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. I will be killed, but three days later, I will be raised from the dead.” ¹⁸       

Then I heard these words as if Jesus was standing next to me now in this room of my home: If you want to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.¹⁹  At that instant, I realized that my pride and self-confidence kept me from knowing and loving Christ the way John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, so willfully portrayed.

Again, I heard Jesus: The leaders who are served are the most important in your eyes, but in the kingdom, it is the servants who l ad. Am I not here with you as one who serves?²⁰ 

I sat in the chair by the fire, humbled by the words of my Master, my Teacher, my Lord. Suddenly, I saw him—Jesus!—washing my feet. Tears of humility flowed, and I cried out, “I am not worthy to be in Your presence, Lord, for I shamed myself before you and the others when I denied that I am one of Your disciples.” And then Jesus said to me, “So now put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!” ²¹

 

Then Jesus, knowing what Peter was thinking,²² held out his hand, the scar of the nail that pierced his arm evident to the disciple on whose faith He would build His church²³ and said, “Don’t be afraid! From now on, you’ll be fishing for people!” ²⁴ Jesus’ comforting words took his thoughts to the place where He had initially called Peter to follow Him,²⁵ and the gesture of Jesus’ hand reaching out to him filled his heart with the saving grace of his Lord when he became afraid while walking on water and sank beneath the waves.²⁶

 

Peter took Jesus’ hand, touching the scar of sin and the hand of forgiveness, which then, lifting Peter up, delivered Peter from the sifting of Satan.²⁷ Jesus said, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” ²⁸ Peter now understood why Jesus had washed his feet.²⁹ 

 

I have yet to give you your cross to bear. As this thought crossed his mind, Peter heard Jesus continue, “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.” ³⁰

I closed my eyes and pictured John ahead of me, both of us running, full of anticipation of what we were told we would encounter at the tomb.³¹ Mary Magdalene’s voice rang in my head: “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!” ³² I saw the tomb as clear as if I were there right now: the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head, folded by itself, separate from the linen.³³ 

When I opened my eyes, I was the only one in the room … and I believed.  

* * *

  “The Adventures of Peter-The Last Days”

This story is Step 6 of a 7-part series.

Previously posted:

Steps of Redemption - 1: Stumbled

Steps of Redemption - 2: Vulnerable

Steps of Redemption - 3: Broken

Steps of Redemption - 4: Comforted

Steps of Redemption - 5: Singled Out

* * *  

 Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.

* * *

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry

2016 by Jeff Cambridge

2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media

* * *

References

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois  189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation^®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.  

1.     John 20:10

2.     Mark 16:6-7

3.     Luke 23:34

4.     John 18:10

5.     Matthew 26:56

6.     John 18:17, 25, 27

7.     Matthew 26:33, 35; Mark 14:29, 31; Luke 22:33; John 13:37

8.     Luke 22:17-19

9.     Luke 22:24

10.   Luke 22:25-26

11.   John 13:23

12.   Matthew 17:1-2; Luke 8:49-56

13.   John 1:42

14.   Matthew 14:28-31; 16:22-23, Luke 5:5-9, John 18:10-11

15.   Matthew 16:16

16.   Luke 9:21

17.   John 17:12

18.   Luke 9:22

19.   Luke 9:23 

20.   Luke 22: 

21. John 13:17 TPT

22.   Mark 2:8; Luke 5:22; Luke 6:8

23.   Matthew 16:18

24.   Luke 5:10

25.   Matthew 4:19

26.   Matthew 14:30

27.   Luke 22:31

28.   Luke 9:24

29.   John 13:7

30.   Luke 22:32

31.   John 20:3-4

32.   John 20:2

33.   John 20:6-7

Steps of Redemption - 5: Singled Out

 “So when you have repented…”

Luke 22:32

The Adventures of Peter - Last Days begins with “Steps of Redemption -1” posted on this blog.

I rose before dawn, determined to tend to Jesus’ body—regardless of the guards that protected and the stone that sealed—in the tomb where He was laid.¹ As I prepared my bag with the spices that Mary, the mother of James, Salome, and I had bought and made the night before,² I was reminded of the overwhelming feeling of freedom when Jesus delivered me from the bondage of sin and the evil spirits that tormented me.³ From that point, I chose to commit my life to follow Him wherever He went, and I did even to the cross⁴ on which He cried out with a loud voice to His Father, saying, “My God  …  My God  …  why have you forsaken me?”⁵ 

The agony of that moment pierced Mary Magdalene's heart as she saw this Man, the Son of God, sacrificing His life so that she could have life, freed from the slavery of sin.⁶ 

When Mary Magdalene heard His words, “I thirst,” her heart yearned to refresh Him and tend to His needs. She held the spices close to her heart, knowing she would see Him in His tomb where she had left Him two nights before.⁷ From her doorway, she looked out on the morning, still dark,⁸ her bag in hand, and made her way up the street to where she agreed to meet the other women before dawn to arrive at the garden at sunrise undetected by anyone else.⁹

As they approached the garden where the tomb lay ahead of them, she felt the ground tremble, and looking up, she saw the brightest magnificence of white light that she had ever seen radiating from the direction of the tomb’s entrance. Mary Magdalene was drawn to the light with impulsive anticipation while the other women held back, fearful of what they might encounter. As she approached the clearing before the tomb, she saw the guards lying scattered about, appearing dead.¹⁰ 

            

Looking up to the grave’s entrance, she clearly saw that the stone had been rolled away,¹¹ and the source of light was from within. Mary crept into the tomb and was alarmed to find a young man clothed in a white robe, its radiance as white as snow, sitting on the right side.¹² She was amazed to see Jesus missing from the place where she had last seen Him laid, as were the other women that followed her in. 

            

The young man said to them, “Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!”¹³ 

            

Raised from the dead? Mary Magdalene pondered, still in awe of the scene she was absorbing. Her mind did not consciously register the impact this truth would have on all mankind, but the emphasis with which the young man stated Peter’s name brought back her focus on his message. You will see Him there  …  in Galilee  … Peter! I must find Peter and tell him the Lord wants to see him also! 

            

Suddenly, one of the women took her by the arm, pulling her back as the others beckoned her to come out. They left quickly and fled from the tomb, fearful of telling anyone what they had seen.¹⁴ But Mary ran ahead of them, anxious to tell Peter.

            

Since the night in which Peter had denied knowing Jesus after His arrest, this band of Brothers and Sisters reached out with an acceptance of Peter as he indeed was, without pretense, without the façade of a mighty warrior, a man who could love, unconditionally, without first being loved. Their compassion for Peter baffled his mind and shifted his heart, for his strength and domineering presence, Peter thought, bought their respect. But respect must be freely given, and when Peter’s friends saw how the events, which affected them all so deeply, had humbled the character of their leader, they began to treat him as one of their kind, full of imperfection, wavering faith, and doubt.¹⁵ Mary Magdalene came to Peter first, worried and concerned that someone had taken Jesus from the tomb.¹⁶ Peter and John returned to the tomb and confirmed what Mary had seen, that their Lord's body was gone.¹⁷ Peter and John, mystified by this turn of events,¹⁸ went their separate ways to their homes,¹⁹ each moved to be alone and pray, hoping to comprehend the meaning of what they had witnessed.

* * *

  “The Adventures of Peter-The Last Days”

This story is Step 5 of a 7-part series.

Previously posted:

Steps of Redemption - 1: Stumbled

Steps of Redemption - 2: Vulnerable

Steps of Redemption - 3: Broken

Steps of Redemption - 4: Comforted

* * *  

 Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me.

* * *

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Stellar Rhema Ministry

2016 by Jeff Cambridge

2024 bycambridge @ BrokenVav Media

* * *

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. 

Unless otherwise noted, all references are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. References noted with NIV are from The Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1978 New York International Bible Society.

1.     Matthew 27:66

2.     Mark 16:1

3.     Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2

4.     Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25

5.     Matthew 27:46

6.     Romans 6:5-11

7.     Matthew 27:61

8.     John 20:1

9.     Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1

10.   Matthew 28:4

11.   Mark 16:4

12.   Mark 16:5

13.   Mark 16:6-7 (italics added)

14.   Mark 16:8

15.   Mark 16:11,13, Luke 24:11

16.   John 20:2

17.   John 20:6,7

18.   Luke 24:12, John 20:9

19. John 20:10