Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
John 21:12a (NIV)
Have you ever said something so ridiculously dumb you regretted it immediately? You knew better just as you were blurting out the words, but you still blurted like you’ve never blurted before. It’s as if you couldn’t stop yourself. The words jumped from your tongue before you could bite it off.
I’ve never done that. What’s that like?
If only... I’m right there with you. I should write a book and call it, “I Can’t Believe I Said That!”
We’ve all said or done something we’ve regretted. It’s called being human. It’s in our DNA.
Can you imagine if you were one of the Apostles? Your antics would be inscribed on parchment to be derided throughout eternity. You could never live down the embarrassment. At least, I can pretend my stupidity never happened and move on. I haven’t written that book yet, so there’s no documentation to prove it.
The Apostle Peter wasn’t so lucky. You know, Peter, the Rock, the one on whose fearless statement of faith Jesus said he would build his church? He was Jesus’s ride-or-die until…until Jesus’s actual death. He promised to go anywhere and do anything for Jesus. He would wield a sword to cut off a soldier’s ear for Jesus, just not admit they were together.
To make matters worse, after the third denial of even knowing “the man,” Jesus heard Peter’s repudiation. Without saying a word, Jesus turned and looked right at him. Can you even imagine? Peter used to call Jesus Lord and Master and now he’s just “the man?” I would run off and hide in the Upper Room, too. Oh, the shame!
Can you picture Jesus standing on trial in the high priest’s court as false accusations were hurled at him? He could have used Peter’s support, but instead he received his rejection.
Take a minute and imagine Peter looking into the eyes of Jesus at that moment of betrayal.
What do you think Jesus was thinking?
What if Jesus turned to look at you after you’ve done something regrettable? Does it feel as if he’s peering right into your soul?
What do you think Jesus is thinking about you?
Is he angry with you? Hurt? Annoyed? Sad? Disgusted?
Could the words coming to our minds reflect how we see our relationship with Jesus?
I used to see Jesus looking at me with disdain. Asking “How could I?” I felt stupid.
But after years of doing the healing work on the wounds given me by my earthly father and stepfather, along with learning about who Jesus, “the man,” is, and experiencing his indescribable, Godly love, I now see the mercy, forgiveness, and love in his eyes staring back at me.
I believe this is how Jesus looked at Peter as well. Jesus knows Peter was a fallible human. Jesus created Peter-- and us-- and knows full-well our foibles. He knows we will fail him and yet, he still pursues us. He runs after us like the father running toward the prodigal child: With arms wide open and covering us with kisses.
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples by the sea of Tiberius…. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus…. When the disciples landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So, Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” John 21:1,4,9-12a (NIV)
So, what does Jesus do after he’s been arrested, mocked, spat on, falsely accused, brutally whipped, crucified, and even betrayed and cursed by Peter? Does he ridicule, berate, or admonish Peter? No.
Jesus makes breakfast for him on the beach.
Our first lesson of the Resurrection: I will seek after you and find you. You are forgiven and deeply loved. Let me serve you.
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