shamed: Third Time’s a Charm
‘For here is the way God so loved the world—He gave His only unique Son as a gift.’ (John 3:16a, TPT)
April 25th, 2022
FOOL-ish, i.e. lacking judgement or sense; ill-considered; unwise; preposterous; thoughtless; reckless; absurd; idiotic.
1 Corinthians 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.’ (NKJV)
Perhaps more than any other person in the Bible, I relate to Peter. How often in my lifetime has my own fool-ishness cost me and others? How many times has my shame built a barricade that I have hidden behind, an iron fence, soon overgrown with sprawling remorse and crawling contempt toward myself, separating me from a holy God? My mouth, just like Peter’s, has caught me at countless hurdles and leaping obstacles God never intended for me to encounter. But at the end of the day, Jesus has met me in that place, that shore where waves gently lap at the bank, with the storm behind me and His grace in front of me, when He asks patiently, “How much do you love me?”
I picture this. I think of the insurmountable grief and guilt that has buoyed Peter since he denied his Master. This is the guy who said, ‘Not just my feet, Lord, submerse all of me.’ He didn’t want just a foot-washing, he wanted his entire being soaked by whatever Jesus was using to cleanse the men with that day. I wonder if Peter ever felt so forlorn that he blamed himself for the crucifixion of his friend and mentor. We must remember that even though Jesus had spent three years preparing His disciples and those who loved Him best what was to come, not one really got it. No one endured the final days of Jesus’ ministry and what led Him to the Cross on our behalf, nor its aftermath, believing without a doubt that God’s Plan would come to fruition as it was written in the Scriptures, as it had been foretold for centuries. Not one was expecting that Jesus would rise again on the third day. No one was waiting at the tomb to push away the stone, unwind Jesus from His burial clothes and offer Him breakfast. In fact, how would anyone ever prepare for that, especially Peter?
On this day however, the shame itself has ebbed and flowed for weeks now, and Peter finds himself in a fishing dinghy after a long unfishful night of being tossed on the waves, now staring into the deep at empty nets. As the sun climbs its way up over the horizon, Peter and his buddies glimpse a figure standing on the shore, uncertain of who it might be. Peter isn’t aware that a campfire and a meal is being prepared for him by none other than the greatest person he has ever known, the one who he miserably failed.
The story turns a little fishy and is oddly familiar as the unknown character suggests they throw their empty nets overboard on the opposite side of the boat. I think by this time I might be thinking this vaguely rings a bell. I possibly might consider that the master mathematician and mighty magician Who has filled nets and fed thousands and multiplied healing for multitudes, Who walks on water and through walls just might be crouched on the beach, magically whipping up some bonfire bread and smoked salmon, once again overflowing the nets. John, the Beloved, spies Him first, and it isn’t moments later, we find Peter overboard, swimming to the shore literally for his life. I wonder the thoughts that swam through Peter’s mind as he breaststrokes to the bank. Is there a part of him that wants to swim backwards, out past the boat, to keep on paddling toward the deep? Does he question what Jesus will say to him when they are face to face? Does he ponder at all if he is able to even look Him in the eye? There is little that is more painful and devastating than being betrayed, rejected, denied. Does he suddenly recall all the times that Jesus showed up for him, claimed him, stood for him, and the one moment he had a chance to return the goodwill, to challenge the Promise, he wimped out, walked away, ducked his head inside his robe and ran in the opposite direction of the rooster’s cries.
Before he can give it any more thought, however, he feels the heat of Jesus’ sole stare upon him. Three times Jesus asks him, “Do you love me more than these?” Three times, Peter answers, ‘You know I love you.’ Three times Jesus directs Peter to care for His flocks. I think it is intriguing and significant that Jesus asked Peter three times, the same amount of times Peter denied Him. Perhaps it is simply a coincidence, but it seems like for every time Peter refuted his personal relationship with Jesus, he was given a second and third chance of redemption and renewal and rededication of a relationship with his personal Savior. What a restoring God we have received the opportunity to know and follow. No matter where He leads.
Acts 12:16-17, ‘Meanwhile, Peter was still outside, knocking on the door. When they finally opened it, they were shocked to find Peter standing there. He signaled for them to be quiet as he shared with them the miraculous way the Lord brought him out of prison. Before he left to tell others, he said, “Make sure you let Jacob and all of the other believers know what has happened to me!”’ (TPT)
John 3:16b, ‘SOW NOW: whoever believes in Him will never perish, but experience everlasting life.’ (TPT)
