No Room for Self-Pity

I have been continuing to think about the post resurrection appearances of Jesus. I love the story of his third visit with his disciples. It is recorded in John 21. It’s the story of Peter leading his six friends out on an all night fishing trip. As you probably recall they catch nothing. Jesus displays his power by the miracle of the big catch. When Peter is told the obvious by John that “It is the Lord!” he throws his clothes back on and jumps in for the football field length swim to shore. He leaves his friends in the boat to deal with the fish.

After an awesome breakfast of charcoal braised fish, the disciples and Jesus were probably sitting around feeling pretty good about the whole situation. Jesus decides that this would be a great time to drill Peter with the toughest questions and biggest challenge he would ever face. When Jesus was on trial a few weeks ago, Peter failed a three-question test miserably. He got a big fat zero on that comprehensive. But, Jesus has another exam for him! Praise God for the mercy of another test!

So in this after breakfast test Jesus asks Peter if he loves him “more than these?” The “these” is somewhat unclear. Most likely Jesus is asking Peter if he loves Jesus more than he loves his close friends, but what is even more invasive is that Jesus asks him two more times if he loves him period. Peter keeps saying yes, and then, grieved at the repetition, he finally says “Lord, you know everything: you know that I love you.” Peter definitely has his feelings hurt through this interchange, but wouldn’t you? Jesus asks us if we love him at all. Are we so caught up in so many other things that we do not even begin to live the great commandment?

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV)

Now each time Peter answers yes to Jesus, Jesus gives him a command. Each time he tells him to feed and take care of Jesus’ sheep. What a glorious commissioning for Peter. He denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus commissions him three times over!

This whole poignant interchange ends with Jesus telling Peter that when he gets old he is going to be led out with outstretched arms to be killed to glorify God.

So think about this a moment… do you struggle with the question “Why did God bring this difficult situation into my life, and why doesn’t he take it away?” It does not seem fair. Can’t our lives go smoothly? (Isn’t this the whiny, self-centered prayer of Jabez?) Well, what was the destiny of Peter? Love Jesus more than all else, do his work with all your strength, then you will be brutally killed. But here is the amazing thing; I cannot even imagine Peter complaining about this destiny. Maybe I’m wrong, but I believe that Peter counted it a privilege to follow the Lord no matter where the path led.

Let’s ask the Lord for strength to follow Peter’s example.

Jesus says love me, work for me and follow me.