Jesus and Peter are Still Tight
“When they had done so [put out into deep water at Jesus’ bidding], they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. . . and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man'” Luke 5:6-8.
“He [Jesus]said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some [fish].’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. . . Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he. . . jumped into the water” [to meet Jesus] John 21:6, 7.
These passages capture two different accounts of the disciples fishing and Jesus showing them how to increase their catch. The first is from Luke at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Read the full account here. And the second is from John, after He was resurrected.
You’re Still One of My Boys!
Although these accounts include other disciples, I want to focus on Peter for a minute. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Peter had similar experiences with Jesus when he was first called to follow Christ (Luke 5:6-8) and again after he had denied him (John 21:6,7).
This second scenario would’ve been less than a week after Peter denied him. It’s as though Jesus is saying, “you’re still included Peter. You’re still one of my boys!”
Whatever favor and love he had from Jesus before he denied Him, he still had afterwards. He was fully forgiven and fully accepted by Christ in spite of his weakness. Peter was not aware of his weakness until the circumstances revealed it, but Jesus wasn’t fooled.
He knew all along what was in him and wasn’t surprised or taken aback when it showed itself.
Notice the difference in Peter’s response on these two occasions. In the first one, when he didn’t yet know Christ, he didn’t want to be anywhere near Him. He asked Him to leave his presence. In the second one, after he had come to know and love Him, he couldn’t wait to get near Him.
In fact, he was much more eager to get close to him than the other disciples. “He who was forgiven much now loves much” (Luke 7:47).
His Weakness Didn’t Change God’s Plan
I think the main message Jesus wanted to convey to Peter is “nothing has changed. I still accept and approve of and love you. I’m still going to work miracles through you. Your weakness hasn’t changed my plan for you. I always knew it was there, and I chose you anyway”.
Jesus goes on to commission Peter in the latter part of John 21. I don’t know about you, but this is comforting to this sinner. For more on Peter, see, Why Did Jesus Let Peter Get Sifted?
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