John 21

Today we will finish reading the Gospel of John. The readings for the balance of the week are: Tuesday - 1John 1, Wednesday - 1John 2, Thursday - 1John 3, Friday - 1John 4.

The Lake mentioned here as Tiberias is also known as Kinneret, Gennesaret or more commonly the Sea of Galilee. The confusion in names is due to the many languages commonly in use and often what part of the sea the action was taking place in (in or around which city).

Simon makes a very understandable decision when faced with the confusing events of the last 2 weeks. Often, when I am overwhelmed or struggling I will fall back on something I am comfortable with or confidant at. Peter's default setting was fishing. Notice the natural leadership exerted by Peter and the response of the other disciples as they join in. They fish all night - reminiscent of the night earlier in other gospel accounts when Jesus comes upon Simon after a failed night of fishing. From the shore the resurrected Lord calls out for them to cast on the other side of the boat for a catch. I have no first hand experience with first century fishing vessels, but I understand that this was no small task. I have heard that these boats were rigged to fish from one side only, and that would be the position that they always used. If this is so, then we see Jesus calling to the disciples to try a new approach to their task at hand - by the way, that'll preach!

Casting on the "wrong side" of the boat brings a huge catch of fish - perhaps the biggest catch we've hit since... the light bulbs finally go off in John's head and he tells Peter "It is the Lord!" John 21:7 NRSV. Simon does something counter intuitive - he puts on his clothes and jumps in to swim to shore to be with Jesus! Jesus already has breakfast started and the break bread with him on the shore. What a glorious morning that must have been.

During a private moment following breakfast Jesus confronts Peter with what seems to be the same question 3 times. It is also interesting to me that he calls him "Simon son of John" a very formal naming compared to the Peter or Rocky nickname Jesus had given him. In Greek there is an important difference in the questions. The first 2 times Jesus asks Simon "Do you love me?" the Greek word he uses for love implies unconditional Godly love. Both times Simon replies - "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." The Greek word Simon uses both times is not the word for unconditional Godly love, it is the love that friendship shares. The third time Jesus addresses Simon, Jesus uses the Greek word for friendship love. That is why Simon is hurt, because Jesus puts his finger on a sore spot in their relationship. Interesting that Jesus does not disqualify Simon Peter, and Peter doesn't lie to make himself look good. Another reason why Jesus may have pressed Peter 3 times on his love was it gave Peter a chance to affirm his love once for every time he had denied Jesus the night Jesus was arrested.

How would we respond to Jesus' question? Is your love for God unconditional and Godly, is it boundless and infallible? Or is your love for Jesus a situational love that runs hot and cold? Lord, help me to be sold out for you in all of the areas and corners of my life.