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Reflections

Easter to Pentecost

Part 3

It is easy to celebrate a holiday like Easter and go back to our everyday life, forgetting the significance of the day. What life-changing effect did the Resurrection have on the followers of Jesus? For the next few weeks, let’s walk with them—from the tomb to the Upper Room—that the power of the Resurrection may be experienced at Pentecost.

A Renewed Relationship

Days had passed since Jesus mysteriously appeared and disappeared among the disciples behind locked doors in Jerusalem. Imagine their feelings each time they met, wondering if He would appear again.

Though John does not tell us in his gospel, someone must have remembered what the women said the morning of the Resurrection. As the women excitedly reported they had seen Jesus, they also said He told them: “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10, NIV).

Without explanation of how or why the disciples traveled from Jerusalem to Galilee, John continues his narrative of their encounters with Jesus (John 21: 1–24). The third encounter is on the shores of Lake Galilee, near the place Peter, James and John had met Jesus in the beginning (Matthew 4:18–22). From what I know of fishermen, I think it is possibly the very same place—their favorite old fishing hole.

Peter shared the disciples’ sense of wonderment, but he also carried an internal struggle different from the others. His denial of Jesus had not been resolved, though he had seen the Lord twice since the Resurrection.

This inner turmoil, added to the tension of wondering when they would see Jesus again, was too much for Peter. He did what most of us do when we struggle mentally and emotionally—he turned to a familiar routine for tension relief. “I’m going fishing,” Peter announced, and the others went with him.

The fishing trip only added to their pressures as they toiled all night but caught nothing— a blow to the ego for experienced fishermen. In the morning, at the peak of their frustration, they heard a friendly voice from the shore and recognized it as Jesus.

John’s account of the subsequent confrontation between the Lord and Peter is well-known. Three times Jesus questioned Peter. Just as Peter had denied the Lord three times, he affirms his love three times.

Many sermons have been preached on the shadings of meaning of the words used here for love. It is as though the Lord was saying to Peter, “Your failure to remain true to me was a failure to love—not only did you lack devoted love, but affection as well.”

Jesus knew Peter would be used greatly in the future, but for that to happen, he would have to get the foundation for his ministry right. Ministry flows out of relationships, and the bottom line of all relationship—whether with our Lord, our family or our friends—is love. The depth of the love will determine the length of the relationship.

Peter’s restoration to discipleship was apparently complete that day. We do not hear any conversation about repentance and forgiveness, only the importance of unfaltering love expressed in following Jesus. Peter apparently learned his lesson well, for history tells us he followed the Lord until his death as a martyr.

Points to Ponder

This encounter between Peter and Jesus teaches us so many lessons.
1. Jesus’ magnificent heart of forgiveness, even for one who denied Him in His hour of greatest need. Can we match that forgiving spirit when our friends let us down?

2. Jesus’ concern for reconciliation with Peter, making Peter’s future ministry possible. Do we follow this example of reconciling differences, or is it easier to let them slide?

3. Jesus’ emphasis on the importance of each individual, teaching Peter not to compare himself with John. How often do we compare ourselves to other Christians instead of heeding Jesus’ instructions to “follow Me”?

4. If Jesus questioned our love for Him three times, what would our answer be?

PEGGY MUSGROVE is a licensed Assemblies of God minister. She is also a speaker, freelance writer, author and prayer group leader. Her latest book, Musings of a Maraschino Cherry was released in 2004.. You can visit her at www.musgroveville.com.

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