The disciples were overwhelmed, still trying to trust Jesus and understand their roles in the Kingdom. After a difficult time of fishing, Jesus was waiting for them on the beach with a simple breakfast and a chance to be together. That’s it. No huge burdens, cares or commissions. Just breakfast on the beach amongst friends and their Lord. It was a welcomed time of nourishment, respite, and fellowship. It was on the beach that Jesus intimately extended forgiveness to Peter and asked him to feed his sheep. Many of us are struggling with financial situations, hurting from broken relationships, grieving for loved ones who have taken ill or died, depressed & discouraged from dreams un-fulfilled. Life can be hard and distracting. Let’s remember Jesus’ offer to come and fellowship in community with him…to be loved, accepted, and forgiven. That we may be able to embrace others in this same way.
"Peter was one of Jesus' closest friends.....So how do you suppose Peter felt after he denied Christ-not just once, but three times? It must have been devastating.
After the Resurrection, Jesus is on the beach with Peter and the others. Following a night of lousy fishing, Christ yells out to the guys to let their nets down for a catch-just as he did that morning he first called them. Again, their nets are bursting with the load. Just like the good old days. Peter leaps from the boat and swims to Christ. They have breakfast together. Reunited, laughing about the catch, relaxed, warmed by the fire, and stuffed from breakfast, Jesus then turns to Peter...
"when they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.' 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.'" -John 21:15-17
What a beautiful story. Notice first that Christ does not let Peter sweep the whole matter under the rug. If this issue isn't addressed, it will haunt the old fisherman for the rest of his life. A nagging guilt will make it hard to pray. That sense of who are you kidding? will be there every time Peter tries to tell others about Jesus...
Most of us try to 'put things behind us,' get past it, forget the pain as quickly as we can. Really-denial is a favorite method of coping for many Christians. But not with Jesus. He wants truth in the inmost being, and to get it there he's got to take us into our inmost being. One way he'll do this is by bringing up an old memory. You'll be driving down the road and suddenly remember something from your childhood. Or maybe you'll have a dream about a long-forgotten person, event, or place. However he brings it up, go with him there. He has something to say to you...
The lessons that have been laid down in pain can be accessed only in pain. Christ must open the wound, not just bandage it over. Sometimes he'll take us there by having an event repeat itself years later, only with new characters in the current situation. These are all invitations to go with him into the deep waters of the heart, uncover the lies buried down there, and bring the truth that will set us free. Don't just bury it quickly; ask God what he is wanting to speak to." -John Eldredge, Waking the Dead
"Peter was one of Jesus' closest friends.....So how do you suppose Peter felt after he denied Christ-not just once, but three times? It must have been devastating.
After the Resurrection, Jesus is on the beach with Peter and the others. Following a night of lousy fishing, Christ yells out to the guys to let their nets down for a catch-just as he did that morning he first called them. Again, their nets are bursting with the load. Just like the good old days. Peter leaps from the boat and swims to Christ. They have breakfast together. Reunited, laughing about the catch, relaxed, warmed by the fire, and stuffed from breakfast, Jesus then turns to Peter...
"when they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.' 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.'" -John 21:15-17
What a beautiful story. Notice first that Christ does not let Peter sweep the whole matter under the rug. If this issue isn't addressed, it will haunt the old fisherman for the rest of his life. A nagging guilt will make it hard to pray. That sense of who are you kidding? will be there every time Peter tries to tell others about Jesus...
Most of us try to 'put things behind us,' get past it, forget the pain as quickly as we can. Really-denial is a favorite method of coping for many Christians. But not with Jesus. He wants truth in the inmost being, and to get it there he's got to take us into our inmost being. One way he'll do this is by bringing up an old memory. You'll be driving down the road and suddenly remember something from your childhood. Or maybe you'll have a dream about a long-forgotten person, event, or place. However he brings it up, go with him there. He has something to say to you...
The lessons that have been laid down in pain can be accessed only in pain. Christ must open the wound, not just bandage it over. Sometimes he'll take us there by having an event repeat itself years later, only with new characters in the current situation. These are all invitations to go with him into the deep waters of the heart, uncover the lies buried down there, and bring the truth that will set us free. Don't just bury it quickly; ask God what he is wanting to speak to." -John Eldredge, Waking the Dead
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