Smoodock's Blog

To dine with Jesus is to be forgiven by him. However, although knowing one is forgiven for past disloyalty and indiscretions is a good thing, and understanding such a thing goes a long way to restoring a relationship, nevertheless, healing the breach in a relationship isn’t complete until the offending party is confident enough that it won’t occur again. What if I screw things up again, will that end it? Will you ever grow tired of forgiving me or of my inadequacy? Will this be the final time you forgive me? Will I ever be able to please you well enough that we could walk together without my remembering how inadequate I am to serve you? Forgiveness can only take one so far in healing a relationship. There is more to healing a broken spirit than knowing one is forgiven by the offended party. Judas didn’t make it, but Peter and the other disciples would.

It may help to understand what occurred on the night Jesus was arrested. Indeed, the disciples were willing to fight alongside Jesus, just as they told him in the upper room. They were far from being cowards. Peter even drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the high priest’s servants. Nevertheless, Jesus forbad them to use violence. They didn’t understand what they should do, so they fled, when Jesus told the guard he would go with them, but leave his disciples go free. Once Jesus was gone, something must have been discussed among the disciples. They probably thought they could gain support for Jesus’ release. No one expected he would be executed that very day. Herod didn’t execute John the Baptizer for nearly a year after he was arrested. Certainly, they would have time to gather support, and the Jewish authorities would have to let Jesus go free. It was decided that Peter would follow the guard, but it was important for the sake of gathering information that he should remain unrecognized as one of Jesus’ followers. When Peter denied knowing Jesus, it wasn’t because he was afraid to die with him, it was because he thought it important that their relationship wasn’t known. Peter was certainly uncomfortable saying Jesus was a stranger to him, but it wasn’t until his and Jesus’ eyes met that he realized what he had done (Luke 22:61).

So, after Jesus and the seven disciples dined together on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus told Peter to walk with him, and as they walked, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him more than ‘these,’ meaning the fish and the life that went with that occupation. Peter replied, saying ‘yes, Jesus, I am your friend’ (paraphrased), so the Lord responded by saying “Tend to my lambs!” (John 21:15). In other words, I want you to serve the work of the Kingdom, not be occupied with the business of fish.

Perhaps, Peter made some excuses, while they walked, telling Jesus why he couldn’t be sent out as a witness. How can you trust me with the work of the Kingdom when I failed so miserably such a short while ago? Therefore, Jesus asked Peter simply if he loved him at all, but Peter, once again, replied saying that Jesus knew he (Peter) was his friend. Therefore, Jesus told Peter to shepherd his sheep (John 21:16).

Nevertheless, Jesus’ command was probably met with more excuses why Jesus shouldn’t trust Peter to do as he asked. Therefore, the third time Jesus asked Peter if he (Peter) was a friend at all! This last question really grieved Peter deeply, because Jesus questioned their friendship (John 21:17). Peter turned to Jesus and told him that he knew all things; he knew Peter’s heart better that Peter knew it himself. So, Peter told him: “Surely, you know I’m your friend,” and the Lord replied: “Tend to my sheep!”

This was the point in their discussion that Jesus was waiting for. In other words, Peter had to be brought to the end of himself, to the point where he would say that he, Jesus, the Lord, knew all things. Peter didn’t know, but he tried telling Jesus that he was not worthy to serve him (cp. Luke 5:8), so it was in Peter’s admitting that the Lord “knew all things” that Jesus was, now, able to heal Peter’s spirit. He did so by telling him in what manner he would end his life by glorifying God, and that was enough. Now, knowing he would never again fail as he did on the night Jesus was arrested, Peter was ready to obey, and Jesus said: “Follow me!” (John 21:18-19).