Rev Gav
What can we learn from Peter?
Today’s Bible reading is the story of the resurrected Jesus meeting the disciples on the shores of the Sea of Tiberius (the Sea of Galilee). I have preached from this story many times — and yes, it is my favourite Bible story featuring my two favourite things, fishing and breakfast!
Therefore, do I focus on the miraculous catch of fish that was a sign, echoing that first miraculous catch we read about in Luke Chapter 5, where Simon Peter fell on his knees and followed Jesus?
The disciples had been night-sweating the nets, fishing all night, when a stranger called out in a loud voice, “Hey kids, have you caught anything?” If there’s one thing us anglers love it’s when we’ve caught something and we’re asked that question! And if there’s one thing us anglers hate it’s if we’ve not caught anything and we’re asked that question! Let me give you a little tip, if you’re gonna take your life into your own hands and ask an angler if they’ve caught anything, rephrase the question and make it about the fish, for example, “Are the fish biting today?” Then, it’s the fishes fault if the angler hasn’t caught anything!
The disciples shouted back, “No”, and if I may be so bold as to read into the story, it was a proper, grumpy, “No!” However, being true fishermen, there was always time for one more cast, and so they let down their nets only to snag a huge haul of fish. History was repeating itself, and even though this stranger was standing on the shore a hundred yards away, surely it was no coincidence. It was a sign. The stranger had called them ‘children’. Was he being cheeky or speaking to something deeper about his relationship with them? Either way, the huge haul could only mean one thing — the stranger was Jesus.
And what does Peter do? Impetuous Peter. The Peter who first ran to the empty tomb. The Peter who said, “Don’t only wash my feet but all of me.” The Peter who drew a sword and went for the guards coming to arrest Jesus. The Peter who spoke out saying Jesus would never be killed and received a harsh rebuke. The Peter, who when filled with the Holy Spirit would be first to boldly proclaim the good news. This Peter, put on his cloak, dived off the boat, and swam to shore to end up standing, dripping in front of Jesus. His actions were and are an example and reminder to us, to lose our inhibitions and drop everything for a chance to be with our Saviour.
Perhaps, I should focus on the wonderful piece of pastoral ministry where Jesus asked Simon Peter to bring some of the fish he had caught, valuing what Simon Peter, quite literally, breought to the table — a reminder of how God values our own contributions?
The disciples brought in the boat, towing the net full of fish behind them, and Simon Peter ran back to help haul the net onto the beach. He took a couple of the fish and brought them back to Jesus. I love that Jesus already had a charcoal fire going. I love that he had baked some bread for them to share. He had planned to have breakfast with them before he called out to them. He had spent time making the fire, preparing the dough, and preparing some of his own fish to BBQ. Only when it was cooking did he stand up, walk to the shoreline and call out to the boat out on the water.
And then I love that he asked Simon Peter to bring some of the fish they’d caught — these special fish, the fish that were to be a sign of the people for whom Simon Peter would go on to ‘fish’ — bringing them into God’s kingdom. Not only was Jesus’ invitation for Peter to bring some of the fish a tangible sign or symbol of Simon Peter’s future vocation, but it was also pastoral work, setting a scene for Peter to know that his contribution was valued and that he, himself was valued. This story is a reminder to us that, although God doesn’t need us, God loves us and values us and the contributions we bring.
Perhaps, instead, I should focus on the reinstatement of Simon Peter, where he is asked three times whether he loves Jesus, an echo of the three denials Simon Peter made on the night of Jesus’ arrest?
Surely it was no coincidence that Simon Peter was asked, three times, if he loved Jesus? Jesus had predicted that three times, before the cock crowed, Simon Peter would deny knowing him. Peter, who swore and spat and tore his own clothes and acted with disgust at being associated with Jesus of Nazareth. Can you imagine the shame he felt as he now confronted the one he had so verbally and publicly decried and disassociated?
Three times Peter had rejected Jesus and now, after sitting and chatting and eating over breakfast, Jesus would take him to one side and get down to the real business. Sure, Simon Peter didn’t need to assert his love three times. Once would be enough, but having three opportunities to make it right meant there could be no doubt that he was back on an even keel and that nothing in his past had been left undone. Now, Peter could move forward, unfettered by his past mistakes.
This story is a reminder of how we too are forgiven through the resurrection of Christ, and how, like Peter, we are made right with God and enabled to make a fresh start.
Hmmm. Perhaps I should instead focus on the different words used for love where, twice, Jesus asked if Peter could love him with an ‘agape’ divine love but then agreed that Simon Peter’s ‘philia’ friendship love would be enough?
You see, in Greek and Hebrew there are four words for love. There is agape love which is a perfect divine love, philia love which is a friendship or sisterly love, storge which is a parental love, and eros which is an erotic or intimate love. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, the first two times he asked Peter if he could love him with a perfect, divine love, to which Peter replied that he loved Jesus with a friendship love, but the third time Jesus asked Peter if he loved him with a friendship love, and Peter (although feeling naturally hurt at this point) replied again that yes, he loved Jesus with a friendship or brotherly love.
You see, none of us can love God as God loves us. God’s love is perfect and divine. It never falters, wavers, or ebbs. It is not based on feelings, worth, or merit. It is consistent and unconditional. But God only asks us if we can love God as best we can, that if we love God with a ‘human’ philia love, then that is enough. Our love does falter, waver, and ebb. It does often depend on our feelings, our sense of self worth, or our merit. It is often inconsistent and conditional, but, and this is the important bit, this is okay. God asks nothing more of us than to bring what love we are able. For those of us who find expressing love difficult, perhaps because we are shy or have been hurt or have hearts that have yet to be broken open, God says that this is okay. All we are asked to do is love God as best we can.
Yes, this story of Jesus’ resurrection is a rich seam indeed! But is it is also a story about one man, Simon Peter, and through him we see ourselves reflected in the story — a story where we drop everything to be with Jesus, discover that Jesus values us and the contributions we bring, that through his resurrection we are forgiven and can make a fresh start, and that our love, however flawed, is enough.
Amen.
You can read more about this story from John 21 here:
What will you contribute to God’s table?
God values our different gifts, talents, wealth, time, skills, and personalities. What might he ask us to bring to his table?
Is there such a thing as perfect love?
We all make mistakes. None of us love our friends, partners, or spouses with a perfect love. Does this matter and what does God think about this?
And you can read more about that first miraculous catch of fish here:
How does God mediate grace to us?
God’s grace is enough, in fact it is more than enough. It is superabundant and it is for you and for all.
What do I need to do before approaching Jesus?
Simon falls down before Jesus and says, “Get away from me, for I am a sinful man.” Let’s find out how Jesus responds.
And study more about that first catch here:
Surprise
Luke 5:4-5. Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem counter-intuitive, and we need to be ready.
Superabundance
Luke 5:6-7. We have a superabundant God, a God who loves us and wants the best for us.
Follow
Luke 5:8-11. You may or may not be a follower of Jesus. You may not have let Jesus shine God’s love and mercy into your life. You might not have got down on your knees and said, “Get away from me, I’m not worth it,” but today, Jesus is asking you to follow him.
and then