Peter The Rock
The faithful disciples were now experiencing confusion, fear and doubts since Jesus was apprehended, tortured, crucified, buried, and now the tomb was empty. Jesus then appeared to the disciples who were hiding from the Jews in a locked room.
Jn.20:18 “Peace be with you!” then Jesus showed these troubled men the scars on his hands and side. “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” I cannot imagine what was racing through their minds. In fact, Jesus had to tell them again, Vs.21 “Peace be with you.” I think he had to reiterate that it really was him because they were freaking out. (a very old Greek term) ☺
Not long after this encounter, Jesus performed another miracle for Peter and the other fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus gave them simple instructions about throwing the net over the other side of the boat. Then all of a sudden, the net filled to overflowing with fish. “They were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” (153) Vs.7 “The disciple whom Jesus loved (John) said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” Peter seems to have an unusual habit of jumping out of boats when Jesus arrives on the scene.
At this point, these grown men were probably squealing like little children because of the enormous catch of fish. It certainly made their day. It’s a good thing there were no Fish and Game officers in those days or what just happened to them would have been very hard to explain.
Vs.9 “when the other disciples landed, they saw that Jesus had built a fire to cook fish and some bread. Vs.10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” “They knew it was the Lord.” They were still reeling from what had just happened. I think they were a bit numb and in shock don’t you?
Vs.15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter’s immediate response was “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.”
There are many speculations as to why Jesus asked the same question three times. It is interesting to me that Peter denied Jesus three times. It could be that though Jesus knew that Peter loved him, maybe Peter needed to hear himself say it out loud three times drowning out the three denials in his memory. There was no real question on the part of Jesus if Peter really loved him. Jesus already foreknew the outcome of this conversation. Jesus basically repeated the same question to Peter with differing objects, fish, lambs and sheep. I think Jesus was emphasizing the magnitude and breadth of his, soon to be, leadership responsibilities in caring for God’s possessions.
Jesus was handing the weightiest baton of all time to Peter, though he did not know it. In all three questions and commands, Jesus said, take care of my possessions, my sheep, the young ones and the mature ones. They all matter to me. I am entrusting you Peter with my prize possessions. They are the reason I came to this earth and took on the nature of man and then died for all of their sins. I am committing them to your care. The Son of God would have never done this if he did not have absolute certainty that Peter and the other disciples would care for His flock.
Continuing to follow Peter’s story through the book of Acts, you see that he was indeed a world changer. Peter had a journey of transformation from being an ambitious and presumptuous man to become a humble and broken man that would walk in the anointing of God and not his own strength. Peter’s raw boldness would be used as a great tool for preaching a message of hope to thousands of people, both Jew and Gentile alike. Yes, Jesus knew what was in Peter’s heart all along, just like he knows what is in your heart. Jesus knew that Peter would be a rock that his church would be built on.
We all have hope! You see, if God could work his eternal purposes through this ragtag group of followers laden with issues, and men like Peter, he can work his eternal purposes through you! He knows what skills you have and are what you are lacking. Your heavenly Father will be faithful to equip you for all the days ahead. It is his grace, not our wisdom or skills that accomplishes his purposes. God is looking for men and women who will say YES. He will faithfully work the changes in our lives that must take place. We supply the willingness and faithfulness, and he supplies the grace and power to accomplish the task.
Phil.1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Jn.20:18 “Peace be with you!” then Jesus showed these troubled men the scars on his hands and side. “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” I cannot imagine what was racing through their minds. In fact, Jesus had to tell them again, Vs.21 “Peace be with you.” I think he had to reiterate that it really was him because they were freaking out. (a very old Greek term) ☺
Not long after this encounter, Jesus performed another miracle for Peter and the other fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus gave them simple instructions about throwing the net over the other side of the boat. Then all of a sudden, the net filled to overflowing with fish. “They were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” (153) Vs.7 “The disciple whom Jesus loved (John) said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” Peter seems to have an unusual habit of jumping out of boats when Jesus arrives on the scene.
At this point, these grown men were probably squealing like little children because of the enormous catch of fish. It certainly made their day. It’s a good thing there were no Fish and Game officers in those days or what just happened to them would have been very hard to explain.
Vs.9 “when the other disciples landed, they saw that Jesus had built a fire to cook fish and some bread. Vs.10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” “They knew it was the Lord.” They were still reeling from what had just happened. I think they were a bit numb and in shock don’t you?
Vs.15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter’s immediate response was “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.”
There are many speculations as to why Jesus asked the same question three times. It is interesting to me that Peter denied Jesus three times. It could be that though Jesus knew that Peter loved him, maybe Peter needed to hear himself say it out loud three times drowning out the three denials in his memory. There was no real question on the part of Jesus if Peter really loved him. Jesus already foreknew the outcome of this conversation. Jesus basically repeated the same question to Peter with differing objects, fish, lambs and sheep. I think Jesus was emphasizing the magnitude and breadth of his, soon to be, leadership responsibilities in caring for God’s possessions.
Jesus was handing the weightiest baton of all time to Peter, though he did not know it. In all three questions and commands, Jesus said, take care of my possessions, my sheep, the young ones and the mature ones. They all matter to me. I am entrusting you Peter with my prize possessions. They are the reason I came to this earth and took on the nature of man and then died for all of their sins. I am committing them to your care. The Son of God would have never done this if he did not have absolute certainty that Peter and the other disciples would care for His flock.
Continuing to follow Peter’s story through the book of Acts, you see that he was indeed a world changer. Peter had a journey of transformation from being an ambitious and presumptuous man to become a humble and broken man that would walk in the anointing of God and not his own strength. Peter’s raw boldness would be used as a great tool for preaching a message of hope to thousands of people, both Jew and Gentile alike. Yes, Jesus knew what was in Peter’s heart all along, just like he knows what is in your heart. Jesus knew that Peter would be a rock that his church would be built on.
We all have hope! You see, if God could work his eternal purposes through this ragtag group of followers laden with issues, and men like Peter, he can work his eternal purposes through you! He knows what skills you have and are what you are lacking. Your heavenly Father will be faithful to equip you for all the days ahead. It is his grace, not our wisdom or skills that accomplishes his purposes. God is looking for men and women who will say YES. He will faithfully work the changes in our lives that must take place. We supply the willingness and faithfulness, and he supplies the grace and power to accomplish the task.
Phil.1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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