the 1972 Summer Olympics, Lasse Artturi Viren competed as a long distance runner for Finland. He was a standout runner in the United States for Brigham Young University and competed in 1972 in the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters. On September 3 of 1972, Viren broke the world record in the 10,000 meters. Breaking a world record is an incredible feat, but for Viren, it seems almost impossible.
Midway through his first event, the 10,000 meters, Viren was running in fifth place when he stumbled and fell along with another runner. After his fall, he caught up with the pack and moved into second place within 230 meters. With 1 ½ laps to go (600 meters), Viren applied pressure and won the race with a new world record, despite his fall.
You can watch a video of Viren’s fall and victory here
Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends and most intimate disciples. Yet, on the night Jesus died, Peter stumbled and fell.
John gives us the first glimpse of Peter after that fateful night in John 21:1-3
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
John 21:1-3
Peter was the leader among the disciples. But, after his failure, Peter was looking back instead of forward. Peter knew Jesus was alive. heh same the empty tomb and had seen the risen Lord at least twice. And yet, when seven of the disciples got together, Peter didn’t lead them out into the towns and villages proclaiming the good news of the gospel. He didn’t lead them out to declare the resurrection. Peter led the disciples back to their former life. Jesus made them fishers of men, but Peter was simply taking them fishing for fish.
Peter failed. Life got hard, and like many of us, it seemed easier to run from Jesus instead of toward Jesus.
When life gets hard, it seems easier to run from Jesus instead of running toward Jesus.
As John’s account continues, the Bible says that Jesus appeared on the shoreline. Except, that isn’t exactly how John recounts the story. John doesn’t say that Jesus appeared to a group of disciples. John says that Jesus “revealed himself again.” Jesus’s appearance was not happenstance. It was on purpose. Jesus showed up to show his disciples how much he loved them.
Notice two things.
First, Jesus revealed himself. He could have kept himself hidden. In fact, he could have started over with a whole new set of disciples. This group had seen him die and rise from the dead, but instead of shouting it from the rooftops, they went right back to who they were before they met Jesus. But Jesus revealed himself anyway.
Second, notice how Jesus revealed himself. The disciples had gone back to their old life. But rather than rebuke them for their waywardness, Jesus blessed their fishing. He could have said, “You didn’t catch anything because you aren’t fishermen anymore.” But, instead, he showed them that he is the Lord over every circumstance. He is Lord in their obedience and even in their disobedience.
Jesus met his disciples where they were—right at the point of their need. Their faith was faltering. They were weak and scared. But Jesus met them right there on the seashore. Right where he had first called them. Jesus took them back to the beginning and reminded them who they were and who he was—and reminded them what they were called to do.
Jesus met them and cooked them a meal. Then, John tells us something very interesting,
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:15-19
Jesus revealed himself to the disciples, but he also initiated his encounter with Peter. Pay attention to John’s words, “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter…” Jesus didn’t wait for Peter to apologize. Jesus didn’t demand that Peter grovel. When breakfast was over, Jesus spoke to Peter.
Jesus built a charcoal fire. Jesus reminded Peter of what had happened. It was important for Peter to feel the weight of his decision, but not so that Peter could feel sufficiently sorry. Peter needed to feel the weight of his denial so that he could fully appreciate the grace and mercy of his savior.
Jesus’s question to Peter was simple, “Do you love me more than these?”
Jesus didn’t even ask Peter if he was sorry. Jesus already knew that Peter was remorseful. Jesus didn’t preach at Peter or even reprimand Peter. Why? Because in his nature, Jesus is gentle and kind.
Have you failed? Have you faltered?
Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Don’t go back to your old life. Don’t go fishing. Jesus isn’t finished with you. He wasn’t finished with his disciples. He wasn’t finished with Peter. Peter didn’t have a comeback, he experienced a redemption. Jesus saw him in his failure and picked him up. Jesus found Peter in his failure and sent him back to work.
From what do you need to be redeemed? Where does he want you to work today? Look toward the shore. You may have turned from Jesus, but he isn’t running from you.
Photo by Burkhard Kaufhold on Unsplash
