JESUS NOTE

A Future for Peter!

A "JESUS NOTE" is encouragement for you as if Jesus Christ Himself was speaking.  You'll find both Scripture and a message about that Scripture.  These "Jesus Notes" are meant to give you insight into His Heart, how He thinks, and how He feels about you.  Let this encouragement begin to dwell deep within you!

This particular "Jesus Note" is pivotal in that it is a story of how Jesus sometimes takes us back in time for healing, so we can have a "now" and a future filled with freedom and hope!

…Afterward Jesus again appeared to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias.  It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel … and two other disciples were together.  “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.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.  He called out to them, “Friends, have you any fish?”  “No,” they answered.

Jesus 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.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved (John) 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.  The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

Simon Peter climbed aboard 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.”  

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

“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

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

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a 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 21:1-12, 15-17 (NIV)


You may remember that during my time of suffering and crucifixion, Peter, the “rock” upon whom I would build up my church, was notably absent.  He was afraid of the people who would be crucifying me, so he denied three times even knowing me.  He was hiding, fearful and feeling abandoned; and also realizing that he had abandoned me during my toughest time.

It is important to note that up until shortly (only a few hours!) before Peter denied knowing Me, he was adamantly stating that he would always be there for Me.  I could count on him!  Oops!  You see, Peter didn't really know himself yet, let alone Me, and he hadn't experienced Pentecost yet (when the Holy Spirit came in power upon the early Christians).

On Easter Sunday morning, you may also recall that an angel at the empty tomb told some of my followers to meet me in Galilee, and that the angel specifically mentioned Peter by name.  My intent all along was not to scold Peter, but to forgive him, heal him, reassure him, reshape and re-write his shattered self-image, and to build him up once again to become the leader I knew he could become.  So this story took place after my resurrection.

I knew Peter.  I knew how he thought.  I knew his feelings, his “in your face” emotions, his tendency to speak first and then figure out later what should have been said.  I loved him.

If I had "P.R." advisers, they probably would have told me to show myself to the priests and religious leaders, or show up at the temple, or show up where I could easily be seen.  But learn from this story that nothing is more important to me than a “one on one” encounter with a brother or sister who is searching and lost in darkness.

Notice also that I gave them specific directions on “where” to fish, directions which led to an abundance of fish.  These instructions for what would be a record catch were given before I spoke with Peter; they were not dependent upon anything other than to do just what I said.  Know that I still give specific direction today, to you, on which way to go and what to do.  You’ll still have to let the nets out, but they won’t break; they will simply be straining from the rich blessings!

Next, since Peter denied knowing me three times, I wanted to have him speak out loud three times what he really felt about me deep in his soul.  I wanted to begin a process of healing, a total removal of guilt, a deep sense of forgiveness, and a new invitation to be my right hand man.  In short, I wanted him to become all he could indeed become, and in later years as he would lower the nets where and when I suggested, my plan was to pour out such abundant blessings on him, blessings that he never could have imagined!  Because he would know Me, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, he would finally know himself!

Like Peter at the lake, there is nothing more important to me than to spend some “one on one” time with you, yes you, as we remove hurt, guilt and embarrassment from the past, and instead replace that with a sure, bright hope for tomorrow.  Can we have breakfast together and talk?    

I really like you and I really love you!


At the end of various readings in Comfort.Guide, we will have a "Pause", "Reflect" and "Receive" section.  The purpose of this exercise is to help you better understand and to personally absorb the encouragement Comfort.Guide offers.  If you would like, visit the "HOW TO USE" page for a review of "Pause, Reflect and Receive".


PAUSE...   Quiet yourself in His love and invite Him to be with you. 


REFLECT...

Rewrite … Why didn’t Jesus at least mildly scold Peter?   

Revive … Why did Jesus bless his followers with abundant fish even before Jesus spoke with Peter?

Redeem … Are you coping with past experiences which weaken your hope for tomorrow?  What would you like to discuss with Jesus at breakfast?


RECEIVE...  

Like Peter, speak out the "rewrite" that Jesus would have you focus on.  To those who say you can't rewrite the past, watch Jesus do just that! 


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