The water turned to wine was ingested by the guests, and raved as the best.
The fish multiplied were consumed by the multitude, multiple times.
The water walked on by eternal divinity was tread by temporal mortality, if only for an instant.
The 153 big fish swarmed to the net after a night of shy retreat baited only by the word of the risen.
The water still moved with the wrestle of men, boat, net and fish after the sound waves of the voice of heaven had infused its existence. A pool visited by an angel sprang to the memory of the weary fisherman. Abashed yet driven by hope he dressed his disgrace and plunged himself into the troubled sea.
Coals with fish and bread prepared by the Great Fisher of Souls awaited the hungry fishermen. He asked them to bring the fish that they had just caught. What had been difficult for all of them to pull into the boat was dragged to shore by one man paying penance and seeking to please.
After they had eaten breakfast and were filled to the gills in this third appearance after being raised from the dead Jesus speaks to one Peter. He begins with, “Simon son of Jonah.” Who there would not have known the allusion to the story of the man who spent three days in the belly of a fish for running from the Lord? And now each of them had bellies full of fish that had come from a miracle of the Lord. The theme of three is painfully repeated in the ears of the man who can still hear the third crow of the cock as he denied in triplicate his association with the Master.
“Do you love me more than these?” The question hung in the air. To avoid the jeering of strangers he had indeed shown his love for others over the Lord. His garments still damp from being drenched in the water touched by the miraculous grace and power of God he spoke what he hoped to be the truth.
“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
The reply he heard satisfied the need for work which he had tried to supplement with fishing. “Feed my lambs.”
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him a third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Three times denied. Three times redeemed.
Jesus and Peter went on to discuss some other things. Their conversation ended with how the two had begun over three years ago. The words were not wasted on this man who had plunged himself in grace and emerged dripping with purpose and peace. They are the words that are spoken to us from a Lord who does indeed know all things yet loves us. He said and continues to say, “Follow Me.”
*Excerpts from the New King James version of John 21.
*Art (“Peter’s Denial” by Ben Hammond, 14″ bronze) taken from this website: Terranova Gallery
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I absolutely LOVE this story of Peter. And every time I hear it I’m taken back to St. Peter’s Primacy, in Galilee and PBZ recounting this same story! The neat thing about the Primacy is that is THE ACTUAL spot that Jesus appeared to Peter after the resurrection. The sea is absolutely beautiful there and there’s a little chapel built there as well. Here’s the link to my blog post on the day we went there (lots of other stuff as well…it’s towards the end).
http://weblog.xanga.com/libzsonshine/547763671/day-2-of-israel—beginnings.html
So very pretty. I love the story, and your telling was captivating.
The sculpture is haunting too.
Thank God for grace.
love this..I have been a Peter more times than I like to think…and have also heard the master say..”Darla, do you love me? … feed my sheep..”
So I wake up every day, reaching for HIS hand…and following after HIM, some days I don’t follow so well..but HE does not give up on me, HE just repeats it again….
@ng you did an awesome job putting this together. ♥ you!
no game)
(BTW-
Our pastor did a series earlier this year called 1-5-3 evangelism based on the 153 fish, it was very cool.
Thanks girl,
Inspiration on a day in need of inspirational.
Blessings,
Carin
This was beautifully written, Angie!
I was a jr. leader in the youth group in high school for a short period of time, and in that time had to teach one Sunday. I was supposed to teach out of the 3rd chapter of Acts – where Peter gives his great speech before the thousands that had gathered for the feast of Tabernacles. In the middle of that great speech Peter declares, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One …” I read that … and realized the completeness of Peter’s forgiveness, both before God and in himself. You know how we as humans are wont to bring up something like, “I cannot believe you are saying that. Aren’t you the person who …” and hang other’s past sins over their head as though that precludes them from any success or authority on the subject in the future. In this moment, Peter had no past. It was not there. Could he have said with such authority, inspiration, and anointing, “You disowned Him,” while feeling within himself the twinges of guilt over the fact that he himself had done the same thing? He spoke this on the authority of the Spirit, and to the Spirit of God in that moment … Peter’s past was clean. That spoke volumes to me about the forgiveness of God. complete. total. utter. not even the little eraser balls left over; not even an imprint on the page. wow.
mmm… this was great, angie.
@Libby – That link was great. What a wonderful trip.
@Steph – I agree that the art is haunting; it would be even more so if it was life sized.
@Darla – Would you believe that I forgot about the game? I hit publish and saw the post up and then I remembered. I was just so caught up in the story that I forgot about the game.
@Danielle – I was wondering why that specific number was recorded… intriguing indeed.
@Carin – You are a dear.
@Annie – Wow, I had never put that together about Peter’s message. True forgiveness is a miraculous thing.
@Alece – When you leave ‘mmm…’ in your comments here it warms the cockles of my heart.
I’m needing to be plunged into grace today.
Thanks, Angie.
@Michelle – I pray that you have all the grace you need my dear.
Thank you for this reminder of Jesus’ grace.
I found you on coffeegirl confessions. This is such a great way to read about what God is doing around the world through amazing women. Thanks for sharing your heart here. I’ll be back to see how things are going!
Shan in Japan:)
@Shan in Japan – Welcome! Thanks for clicking through and leaving an encouraging comment. We will see you around then.