the    sides

This is the last leg in our e-journey through the gospel of John. This week’s from John 21.

The greatest fear facing the disciples post-crucifixion was being found by the religious leaders and sentenced to the same fate as Jesus.

The greatest fear facing the disciples post-resurrection was Jesus himself.

Think about it…you just deserted, denied, and betrayed a guy who can’t be killed.

If this were a movie, Jesus would have shown up in black, like a ninja, and had a revenge tour. “You doubted me. You must die.”

Instead, this is what we see - Jesus showing up on the shore after the disciples had fished all night and not caught a thing. He hollers at them: “Put your nets on the other side of the boat.” What the heck does that mean???

Then it hits me…at the beginning of their ministry together, he told the disciples the same thing after a similar night of failed fishing. The first time, the disciples argued a bit. “Hey Jesus, you may be the Son of God but we’re fishermen. And we haven’t caught a thing all night and we are in shallow water.”

“Just trust me.”

So they did, reluctantly. And the boat sank with the weight of the fish.

Fast forward to now - “Hey - put you’re nets out again.”

They didn’t argue this time. Did they remember? Did they know? Were they laughing and smiling this time instead of grumbling? A do-over. A “Okay, let’s try this again and see if you remembered anything” moment.

153 large fish. Only fishermen count like that. Peter couldn’t wait to get to shore - he just jumps in and swims. He knows.

Then Jesus does it again. The number of questions to Peter match the number of denials which now matches the number of restorations. Three. I’ve heard it preached that Jesus did this to remind Peter of his failure. I completely disagree.

There was no way Peter would ever forget his denials. Especially with the living Jesus in front of him. I think Jesus did it so that Peter would never forget the number of times Jesus restored him.

The final lesson in following Jesus - when you fail, let’s try this again and see if we remember anything.