Have you ever thought about the guilt trips Biblical characters must have had? Imagine Adam’s feeling of guilt after he gave up everything to taste some fruit! What about Moses’ guilt trip for forty years as he herded sheep? Or think about David after his affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband! But, I think the greatest guilt trip among Biblical characters must have belonged to Peter.
Peter was with the Lord for a few years, essentially from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Peter was an A-type personality, always opening his mouth and usually saying the wrong thing. Probably the other disciples waited for Peter to say something knowing he would probably speak over them anyway. And, for some reason, Jesus chose Peter along with James and John as His most intimate followers.
That night before He was betrayed by Judas, Jesus had warned Peter that he would deny Him before morning. With his usual swagger, Peter had told Jesus that would never happen even if it cost him his life. Yet, in the early morning hours, Peter denied the Lord three times, and, when he realized what he had done, Peter left Jesus and went out weeping bitterly; that was Friday morning.
On Sunday morning, Peter and John heard the news that Jesus had risen and met with Mary outside the tomb. Both men ran to the tomb: John was eager to see the Lord; Peter was wondering “can it be true”. Neither saw Jesus that morning, but later that evening, Jesus appeared to them and the other disciples in the house showing them He was alive, but there is uncharacteristically no mention of Peter saying anything; he was just another spectator in the crowd. Then Jesus appeared to them again in the same location because Thomas had been absent the first time; again, no mention of Peter.
Can’t you imagine how Peter felt? What could he do to make up for denying the Lord; he must have seen himself as totally out of favor with the Lord. How could there possibly be a place for him in service to Jesus. So, Peter looked at the other disciples and said, “I don’t know about you, but I’m going fishing”. James, John, and a couple of other disciples decided to go with him. Our story picks up in John 21.
Peter and the others fished all night but couldn’t catch anything; they must have been thoroughly discouraged. In the dim light of morning, a voice called out to them, “Have you caught anything?” “No”, they replied. “Cast your net on theother side of the boat; there are lots of fish on that side.” They didn’t know who this supposed expert fisherman was, but they did it anyway, and the amount of fish they caught was so great they could hardly pull them in. Then, the light came on in John’s mind, and he told Peter, “That’s the Lord”. Peter put his clothes on and jumped in the water swimming to shore; eventually the other disciples made it in also and found breakfast cooking. “Bring some of your fish over here, and let’s have a real feast”, Jesus said.
The story doesn’t tell us much more about the breakfast, but I can imagine Jesus having a discussion with them about being “fishers of men”. All during this time, I can imagine Peter’s doubt about his worthiness to be part of the group. None of the others had denied Jesus, they had just fled the scene except John who followed Jesus all the way to the cross and watched Him die. Peter felt like he no longer fit into the group and was probably looking for some way to disappear. But as they were finishing breakfast, Jesus walked up to Peter, and they stepped aside from the rest for a brief discussion.
“Peter, do you love Me more than these fish?” Jesus asked. “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. John 21:15 (NLT). Then Jesus asked a second time, “Peter, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. John 21:16 (NLT). Finally, Jesus asked Peter a third time, “Do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” John 21:17 (NLT).
I can imagine Peter thinking as the questions were asked and he responded, “How can I say I really love Him after what I have done?” By the third time, Peter really knew he loved the Lord; his doubt was gone. And, the great thing is that Jesus didn’t tell him how much He was disappointed in Peter or how Peter needed to “recommit his life to the Lord”; He simply told Peter, “I’ve got a job for you and that is to feed my sheep”.
I think Jesus was telling Peter and us as well that He knows we will fail at times. But, Jesus still has a place for us to serve. We shouldn’t give up because of our weakness but use our experience to grow. Quit wallowing in despair and self-doubt; get up and get ready for new and exciting adventures with the Lord. He has so much He wants to accomplish here on earth, and you and I, regardless of our past failures, can learn and grow and be useful in His kingdom for the glory of God.