June 10. John 21:1-25
GRACE LESSONS: If the crucifixion and resurrection are the pivotal moment for all mankind (and that would be the plain truth), then this moment of restoration for Peter was the pivotal one for the giving of grace in his life in a personal sense. And what amazing grace it was! Jesus seeks Peter and the disciples out. He blesses them with a stunning catch of fish. He serves them breakfast, still modeling humility even as the risen Lord. After seeking them out, blessing them with a huge catch and fixing breakfast, Jesus extends grace by blessing Peter with an unmistakable reversing of the three denials the night before the crucifixion. Three times He gave Peter opportunity to declare his love for Jesus. Three times He reaffirmed that Peter had a purpose and was still very much His disciple. Grace. Undeserved pardon from an unfathomable Love. (Interestingly, there are only two mentions in all of scripture of “charcoal fire.” One was in John 18:18 where Peter denied he knew Jesus. The second was the charcoal fire on which Jesus made breakfast for His disciples and by which Peter reaffirmed his love for Christ. How cool is that?! – I learned this from my Charles Swindoll Study Bible!)
OUR PASSAGE: Did you catch how Peter still couldn’t wait to get to Jesus? He’s jumping out of a boat once more in order to be with his Master as quickly as possible. Oh how I love that Peter didn’t hide in that boat in an ugly pile of self-condemnation. He ran to the only One who could help. So should we when we have failed Him! I also love the grace given Peter when Jesus tells him how he will die. Peter knew from the outset of launching the early church what fate awaited him: But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go (John 21:18b). Peter had a chance to walk out his love for Jesus for the rest of his life, knowing his commitment to Him would lead to a difficult death. And Jesus trusted him with this. This, too, was a gracious gift.
My verse: John 21:25 “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.”
My response: Lord Jesus, every day with You must have been amazing. I imagine John finishing this book and having memory flashes of all he did not include. What a phenomenal time that must have been to walk with You, eat with You, and sleep near You each night. Peter and the disciples got that for three solid years. I am so very thankful for all the stories your Holy Spirit directed Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to tell about Your life on earth! And I trust that each word that was necessary for us was indeed written by the direction of Your Spirit.
