New Starts: Reflections on John 21:1-19

So Peter and the other disciples finally left the locked room.

They had been there for a some time after Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus visited at least twice, coming through closed, locked doors to spread his special peace and the good news of his rising from the dead.

The disciples finally get enough of Jesus' peace and leave the safety of the locked room. But they still haven't quite gotten Jesus' message of "As God has sent me, so I send you." As John 21 opens, it is clear that Peter has had enough of the drama, the stress, the grief and the shock. He's going back to what he does best--fishing. He invites a few of the other disciples along on a night-time fishing trip--perhaps so they can start going back to their old lives--their lives before Jesus showed up. This may seem a familiar reaction for many of us. When we are stressed, worried or upset, it feels good to go do something that is comfortable for us. Let me do something in a familiar pattern of life so that I can block out the thoughts of all the bad stuff.

But Jesus isn't going to give up on these disciples this easily. He is not going to let them drift comfortably back into their old lives. He has invested too much energy in these guys getting them ready to truly be apostles--ones who are sent out.

So when they try to go fishing, no fish come. Sounds almost like the night Peter and the sons of Zebedee met Jesus the first time. And just as they are coming in discouraged with their ability to return to their old life, there is this man on the beach telling them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Imagine their reaction--Yeah, sure, whatever! But they do it and there are fish in abundance. Jesus made known to them in the catching of the fish.

Over breakfast, Jesus then releases Peter from the tyranny of his denial of Jesus at Jesus' trial. Three times Jesus asks Peter in various ways: do you love me? Three times, just like the three time denial. Three times Peter answers, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. " Three times Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. In these three question and answer sessions, Jesus breaks the grasp that Peter's denial has on his psyche. Peter is made new and equipped to care for Jesus' growing flock.

Peter is freed and sent--a new start. Now he is no longer just a disciple--a learner. Peter is ready to be an apostle. He is ready to be sent out, equipped for action.