A Fresh Start -Simon Peter

Part four of the Encounters Series.

Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash

Imagine the scene!

It’s late in the evening, and the disciples are gathered together, still trying to process the events of Jesus' death and resurrection. They know he is alive as he stood right before them, but it’s so difficult for them to get their heads around it.

They need something to occupy their minds, and that’s when Simon Peter takes the lead.

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

(John 21:1-3)

It was a chance for them to feel useful again, but their nets remained empty.

They couldn’t even fish anymore!

And then, they heard a voice calling from the shore.

As they squinted their eyes to see who it was, they failed to recognise Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

(John 21:5-9)

In this intimate moment, the disciples gathered with Jesus for breakfast. I can only imagine the comfort this brought them. They had returned to the familiarity of the water to feel secure again, but what they really needed was to sit and spend time with their Saviour.

Simon Peter was the first to leap into the water and head to the shore to be with Jesus. Guilt and regret weighed heavily on his stomach as he shared the bread and fish. He loved Jesus more than anything, yet he could not let go of the shame of his actions.

Why had he denied knowing Jesus not once, but three times?

Why had he repeatedly shown such cowardice?

The conversation buzzed around him, but his mind ran the scenario over and over, hoping for a different outcome.

Aware of his discomfort, Jesus took Simon Peter to one side.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 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)

In that moment, Simon Peter was given a fresh start and a new purpose.

I wonder what the other disciples thought!

They loved Simon Peter, but shouldn’t there be more consequences for denying Jesus three times?

Wouldn’t it have been better if Simon Peter had taken a step back until he earned his place within their community?

This wasn’t how Jesus viewed the situation.

He knew the depth of regret in Simon Peter’s heart, forgave him and offered him a fresh start.

The disciples had a choice. They could envy the ease with which Jesus had forgiven Simon Peter or marvel that that same forgiveness was available to them. The disciples witnessed that Jesus is a Saviour who forgives and is able to give those who are lost a new sense of purpose.

It wasn’t just a fresh start for Simon Peter; it was a fresh start for all of them!

Kay Moorby