Transforming Love - John 21:1-19

(1) Peter unsure of his future (v.3)

Peter knew that Jesus had risen from the dead, but he didn’t yet realize the tremendous implications of this for him personally. Peter of course had denied even knowing Jesus three times prior to the crucifixion. He had previously been so confident in his capacity to follow Jesus, and so these denials really cut him down. Peter had disappointed himself, and begun to feel unworthy of any particular responsibility. He had formerly left everything behind (including his fishing business) to follow Jesus, but now he was just going fishing. Peter retreated to what he knew best, to see if he could find any solace to meet his confusion, out on the water with his nets. He even convinced others of the disciples to go with him.

What happened out there on the lake? Peter and the others caught absolutely nothing! This is reminiscent of the time (recorded in Luke 5) when these fishermen had spent a long night out fishing catching nothing, then been confronted by Jesus for the first time, who said for them to try again, and there was a miraculous catch of fish. On the basis of this, these fishermen left everything and followed Jesus.

So again they had caught nothing! Why? Because, as worthy a pursuit as this was, this was not what they were meant to be doing. Peter, for the last three years, had been called to “fish” for people! And despite all the frenetic happenings around the crucifixion and resurrection, nothing had changed this call on Peter’s life. It is no wonder that things don’t go well when we choose a path other than the one we’re supposed to! Of course Peter caught nothing – this wasn’t his “thing” anymore.

(2) Peter reminded of Jesus’ ability to change realities (v.5-13)

Of course when Jesus came along to the sea that day, things went dramatically better! This served to remind all the disciples of the power that was available to them through following him – Jesus. Eventually it would be the Holy Spirit that would enable Peter and the other disciples to be so tremendously effective in their witness and mission.

Why wouldn’t the disciples have recognized Jesus that morning (v.4)? They had come to recognize him previously, especially through the extensive questioning of Thomas. Could it have been that they were not ready to recognize him in terms of the uncertainty that lay ahead! Better to try to escape the uncertainty, than be called to enter into the middle of it. Life will always be uncertain, but Jesus calls each one of us not to withdraw, but engage into it following and serving him.

Jesus noted the disciples’ lack of fishing success, and again showed them where their success in life would really derive from … which was what???

John was the first to get it – he says (v.7) “It is the Lord!” Peter then saw it for himself and rushed to Jesus. The disciples left in the boat would bring it to shore with all the fish that Jesus had allowed them to catch. Peter (their leader), already on shore, then hauled the overfull net over to Jesus. What does all this symbolize? This symbolized the success they would have on mission if they just focused on Jesus. Jesus would provide the opportunities – they would be everywhere – there would be well and truly enough people around willing to hear and respond – that each disciple would be busy enough. Then, as now, there would have been hurting people, looking for good news and hope – the disciples would just have to relate to enough people to find them!

It’s interesting that such an overfull net did not tear in the slightest! Not one fish was lost!! This shows us that we don’t go “fishing” purely in our own strength (in the strength of our own limited resources), but that this is Jesus’ mission and he will protect it, and bring success to it. We don’t have to worry about making mistakes (in our interactions with people) because if we relate with integrity, then Jesus will bring the results! Even our most inadequate words can be transformed by God’s Spirit before they reach another’s ears. It was Jesus who started and fueled the fire on the beach that allowed the disciples to have breakfast. We might also recall (as the disciples no doubt did) a previous time when Jesus handled bread and fish with great impact!

(3) Peter loved, forgiven and commissioned (v.15-17)

Now it was time for Peter to face his threefold denial of Jesus. Jesus did not take this approach to condemn Peter, or be critical of Peter, or to judge Peter in any way! Jesus’ approach here is to address Peter’s own feelings of unworthiness, disappointment in himself, and frustration. It would only be in addressing this head on that Peter would be fully restored as a person ready for life, witness & mission.

Jesus’ love for Peter was obvious and tangible. But could Peter now look Jesus in the eye and express love for him. I guess at times when we have gone off track, it may have been difficult to look unto Jesus in worship and express our love for him … we may have felt too ashamed. Yet Jesus continues to shine his love on us, allowing us to love him again in return. Peter would be asked to express his love three times, canceling, as it were, the effects of each of his denials ON HIS OWN SPIRIT!!

[In verse 15, where we read “do you love me more than these”, it could be that Jesus was asking Peter whether he loved Jesus more than the fishing business, the boats & the nets; but more probably Peter was being asked to express a love that was greater than the love that the other disciples may have had for Jesus! I don’t know what you make of this, but I think it has something to do with not limiting our love to the limits of what we see from any other – but allowing our love for Jesus to reach the heights of its own potential. For example, we might look up to a certain person and want to emulate their perceived level of spiritual commitment, and that might be enough for us! Jesus may be saying to us, that although that might be a significant challenge in itself (to emulate this particular person), we shouldn’t limit ourselves to just that – we could go even further.]

The hurt that Peter felt on the third request (v.17), would have surfaced as the full impact of the depth of his denial surfaced and was met by Jesus’ love. Jesus indeed knew “everything”, including the depth of Peter’s pain and feelings of failure.

As Peter was able to express his love for Jesus, on each of the three occasions, Peter was restored to his position of leadership in the Jesus community. It is those of us who can truly love Jesus, who are most ready to be used of him!

Peter was able then to take out into the community, not despair and defeat, but the message of God’s forgiveness, hope, and the prospect of peace. Peter could ably reflect that all people are significant to God.

(4) Peter’s call to pastoral care (v.15-17)

Peter’s restoration to ministry in Jesus name’, meant feeding and tending Jesus’ sheep and lambs. ‘Feeding’ would indicate teaching them (and living in agreement with such sound & helpful principles), as well as generally seeing that their needs were provided for. ‘Tending’ would indicate a significant level of care and support both in spiritual and practical ways. And the “lambs” and “sheep” would include all people, not just those who present themselves to Peter and the other disciples, but to all of the community around them (young & not so young). This is because God sees all people as His potential children. Being an encourager of other people’s abilities and giftedness would be an important part of this.

This all would not be Peter’s responsibility alone, but he would have to take a lead in the fledgling Christian community, and model such attitudes and qualities to those who would share in the ministry and mission. At times Peter would certainly find this difficult, because of some of the people he would encounter, and some of the circumstances that would cross his path; but he would always be able to rely on Jesus to guide him, and the movement of the Holy Spirit to make him effective.

We know that Peter conducted a powerful, successful ministry to many thousands – sharing the good news about Jesus, teaching them the truths of God, and seeing them cared for within the life of the various house churches that formed the basis of the early Christian movement.

(5) Following Jesus – wherever this takes you (v.18-19)

Peter would have exciting times ahead. Such would be his wonderful, positive, redemptive impact, however, that there was bound to be people out to destroy him. There would be various attempts to silence him, and there was the remarkable escape God brought about for him (in Acts 12); but eventually the time would come when his life was taken.

But for Peter, life would have been so much the lesser if he’d ignored Jesus’ call – Peter would have been so unfulfilled and unhappy if he’d walked the other way; that despite the cost … there was only one way to go – the Jesus way! Jesus says, “Follow me!” … with the sense of the Greek text here being “Follow me and keep on following me!”

Through his great love, Jesus transforms Peter so that he can participate in the transformation of others. Jesus transforms our lives (through his life, death, resurrection & giving of the Spirit) so that we also can participate in the transformation of others in our communities.