Easter 3: The Encounter with Simon Peter 21:1-25

We conclude our study of the gospel of John with one of the most moving stories of the Bible. Peter was the leader of the disciples, yet, in the moments that mattered most he faltered, denying Christ just as the Savior told him he would. John uses this encounter between Jesus and Peter as the finale of his gospel, or as I have stated yesterday, as an epilogue (a summary miracle and statement, or should I say, reinstatement).

One of the things I enjoy about the end of a movie is "the curtain call," a closing scene in which many of the main characters are brought together. In this case, the scene is "The Sea of Tiberias" (or Galilee), home base for Jesus' ministry. At seaside are Peter, Thomas, Nathanael (the one in whom there was no guile in the end of John 1), James and John. I am surprised Andrew is not there and that Nathanael is there. They decide to go out fishing (which says that they still don't realize that the dream of the kingdom is still on). This scene is remarkably similar to when the disciples were first called in Luke 5. In fact, it would be good to read both accounts to get the full impact of what Jesus was doing in John 21.

They don't recognize that it is Jesus on the seashore (just like Mary confused him with the gardener in John 20). They aren't catching fish, so Jesus invites them to cast their nets on the other side. The old phrase I have heard in ministry is "go where the fish are," and "be part of what God is blessing." So many times, the church (preachers included) are not where the fish are. We are doing and saying things by methods that no longer catch new disciples. We are not around them, choosing to spend our time with those who already are disciples. Most United Methodist churches will not have a single person join this year by profession of faith in Jesus Christ. They have cast their nets from the wrong side of the boat. When the disciples do cast their nets where the fish are, they are unable to bring in the load of fish they catch.

Peter then figures out that the fishing tip (not to mention the yield of fish) had come from the Lord. I love it, he puts on clothes before he jumps in the water. When they get to shore, Jesus has breakfast ready (fish and bread - a reminder of a certain feeding in John 6). The haul they are able to bring in has 153 fish. No doubt John was there, the number is unusally precise.

After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" In Greek there were three words for "love." The common word was "eros", the word for romantic and erotic love. The love most commonly sung about in our music is "eros." The second word is "philos," from which we get the city name, Philadelphia (the city of "brotherly love"). This is the love shared by family and close friends. The third word is "agape," the Jesus kind of love that is selfless and sacrificial, asking nothing in return.

The question "Do you love me?" is asked three times. The "more than these" part is the fish and the fishing life. The first two times the word "agapao" is used (from agape). And each time, Jesus responds, "Feed my lambs" or "Tend my sheep." Jesus is trying to get Peter's attention that he has a job to do, and going back to what he already knew or what he did before was not it. But the third time Jesus asks the question, he uses the word "phileo", asking "Do you even love me like a brother?" At that question, Peter comes completely apart and with tears in his eyes says, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." I picture a beautiful embrace here. Then Jesus commissions him for ministry for the rest of his life. He even gives a hint as to the sacrifice Peter will give for the gospel. Tradition is that Peter was crucified upside down on an "X" cross, at his own request, because he was not worthy to be crucified in the way that Christ was.

What a great lesson here about failing in life and ministry and God's ability to redeem us and help us start over...that the greatest chapters of our life are often written after loss and failure. I just love this story, because it is also our story.

Following Jesus and Peter is none other than our gospel writer. He is the only disciple who is recorded to have died a natural death. The final verse is a great finish. I can almost hear the music that would go with it.

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."

Indeed. What a privilege it has been to share in this study with you. My prayer is that through it the gospel has spoken to you in a fresh way and that now more than ever you have come to "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31)