John 21 - 10.7.22

Scripture

John 21:19b

Then [Jesus] said to [Peter], “Follow me!”

Observation – What does it say?

Peter had it rough lately. He watched Jesus get arrested which would be hard enough. This was the man he had left everything to follow and who he had realized was the Messiah. And now he was now facing execution.

Fast forward a couple hours. When Peter makes eye contact with Jesus for the last time before he was crucified, it was the moment he had denied Jesus for the 3rd time in one night. Peter had ran off and wept bitterly.
I can only imagine the guilt and shame he must have felt. No opportunity to apologize or to make amends before Jesus died. The feeling of loss and confusion and pain must have been overwhelming.

But, after rising from the dead, Jesus appeared to many people, including his disciples, over a period of 40 days before ascending to heaven. This is one of those instances.

Peter had gone back to his pre-following Jesus job: fishing. Jesus appears on the shore and instructs Peter and his crew to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, resulting in a massive catch.

Recognizing it was the resurrected Jesus, Peter quickly jumps overboard to swim to Jesus while his companions tow the catch back to shore. And as he and Peter converse, Jesus repeats to him the same invitation he gave at the very beginning: “Follow me!”

Understanding – What does it mean?

Even when we fail, Jesus continues to invite us to follow him.

After choosing to follow Jesus I have had many moments of failure. Many moments where I feel I have let him down. But praise God that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross wasn’t just enough to pay for my sins committed before I was saved! His death means each of us can experience forgiveness, restoration, and a clean slate at any moment.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

Like the prodigal son who returned home to find his Father there with open arms for a hug followed by complete forgiveness and restoration, like Peter who swam to shore to find that Jesus came to him for the purpose of restoration, we can expect Jesus to meet us following our greatest moments of failure to restore us. He reaffirms his love for us, restores our relationship, and reminds us that we haven’t forfeited our place in his family or purpose in his kingdom. He calls us to dust ourselves off and choose to follow him once again.

Life Application

Praise God for his mercy and grace! Praise God that he is able to fulfill his purposes for us despite our failures and shortcomings!

When I fail, I need to resist the temptation to walk away from what God has called me to. Instead, I pray God empowers me to come to him to receive forgiveness and restoration.

-Levi Thompson