Sweet Restoration

Yesterday during worship I was thinking about a couple of things.  First, I was thinking about the apostles and how their friendships with Jesus must have really seemed a bit strange after His resurrection.  I was thinking about how they would have related to Him after they realized He was actually the Son of God!  I think to some extent they never realized fully what that meant, Peter had revelation that He was Messiah, and even said so in Matt 16:16, but afterwards it seemed that they continued to relate to Him as a man, for what options did they really have.  They had a reverence and respect, and maybe even a little bit of fear at His power and authority, but still they related to Him as a man.  It was after His resurrection that the reality of who Jesus really is hit them, and it must have totally affected their relationship. 

Looking at it in the natural, their relationship with Jesus ended when He died on the cross, at least that is what they thought.  They were clearly grieving, trying to figure out what to do after His death.  I am sure all of their last conversations and experiences were playing back over and over in their minds... and when He appeared to them after He rose, it must have just been so jarring to their minds and emotions, especially since He had the scars that showed it wasn't just a bad dream.  It is definitely something to think more about, that transition from friend to savior!

The second thing I was reflecting on was the restoration of Peter as recorded in John 21.  As I was reading back over that I  was amazed at the completeness and merciful and compassionate care Jesus extended to Peter. There is a definite parallel between Jesus' restoration and Peter's original call as recorded in Luke 5:1-11 NIV:

[1] "One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. [2] He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. [3] He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 

[4] When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 

[5] Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 

[6] When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. [7] So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 

[8] When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” [9] For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, [10] and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. 

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” [11] So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him."

Here is John's recounting of the events following Jesus' resurrection - John 21:2-17 NIV:

[2] "Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. [3] “I'm going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We'll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 

[4] Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. [5] He called out to them, “Friends, haven't you any fish?” 

“No,” they answered. 

[6] He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 

[7] Then the disciple whom Jesus loved 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. [8] The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. [9] When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 

[10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” [11] So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. [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. [13] Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. [14] This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 

[15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” 

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” 

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 

[16] 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.” 

[17] 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 is much to think about and reflect on in these verses, so I will just share the couple of things that stood out.  First, Jesus recreated His original call of Peter, with a very similar redirecting of where they were fishing and massive catch of fish.  This seems to me to be a restoring of His call on Peter's life.  I am sure Peter thought his call was over to some extent, especially after his public denial of Jesus.  

Secondly, Jesus did this in front of the others, to make sure they knew He was restoring Peter.  Jesus cared so much for Peter, and restoring Him, that He made sure the others knew that Peter was being restored, for they clearly might have had issues following him after his public denial of Jesus.  It is interesting to note that only 7 of the remaining 11 are there, and even Peter's brother Andrew seems to be missing, so it is possible there was already a bit of fragmenting of the unity of the Apostles.

Third, Peter didn't even push back on Jesus' direction to throw their nets on the right side of the boat whereas in Luke's recounting of the original Pater had basically told Jesus that He didn't know what He was talking about.  This to me shows the humility of Peter, something that was a long-time in the making. 

Fourth, Jesus very specifically cleared the denial off the books, for He provided Peter the opportunity to admit his love one time for every time he denied Him. I have read many author's thoughts on this restoration, and specially these three questions followed by commands, and they are very helpful.  I am just looking at the my own propensity to think poorly of my own words and actions, and how healing this must have been for Peter.  He essentially got to take back everything He had said, and while his denial was later detailed in the Gospels, he no longer bore the shame of those words!  

I could go on, but suffice it to say, the Lord cares for each of us in this exact same way!  There is nothing we can say or do that will cause Him to love us less!  He is always ready to invite us back into relationship, He is always ready to restore us, even as He did Peter.  He is merciful and compassionate and knows our thoughts and knows how to love us back into the fold!

Today I am so greatly encouraged by the Lord's love, compassion, forgiveness and sweet restoration! 

Thank You Lord!