The disciples found themselves going back to their old occupations even after they had interacted with the Risen One. In fact, right after a kind of ghostly upper room encounter, Simon, who had been given a new identity as Peter, declared “I’m going fishing…” to which a good number of them said, “We’ll go with you.” This was their old job. They were Fishermen before they became disciples. This is what they knew how to do, which must have felt so comforting in light of the falling apart of their entire understanding of what they were following. And yet they found themselves fishing all night and catching nothing, which must have been so disheartening. Perhaps even more disheartening is the mixed emotions that Peter carried after the resurrection. Of course Peter was glad that Jesus was alive, but don’t forget that on the night of Jesus’ betrayal, Peter had failed miserably. Peter denied Christ, not once, not twice, but three times. Now in the morning there’s a man on the shore asking if they have any fish. No. He gives some advise and they catch 153 big ones! John says, “It’s the Lord!” And Peter swims to Jesus. When they had hauled the catch ashore, Jesus called them to breakfast and when they came they found a fire of coals. (ἀνθρακιά) In that bed of coals Jesus had recreated the scene of the crime of Peter’s denial. After breakfast, Jesus has a heart to heart conversation with Peter. Three times Jesus asks Peter, “do you love me?”. And this was enough. Peter’s threefold denial of Christ is now matched by his threefold announcement of love. Jesus restored Peter and than repeated His original call: “Follow Me.” The call remains the same…even when we fail.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the most meaningful act of forgiveness that you've ever been shown by a person you’ve wronged?
2. The disciples are called to fish for all people, but they have found themselves returning to their old career paths.The disciples have gone back fishing but the fishing expedition is unsuccessful, for without Jesus, they can do nothing. Have you ever had this experience? What projects have you been labouring over and getting nowhere?
3. John specifically mentions a fire of burning coals in allusion to his previous mention in John 18-18 where Peter denies the Lord three times. Jesus creatively recreates the scene of Peter’s greatest failure in order to restore him. We learn that Jesus will not give up on us, even when we give up on ourselves. What scene might Jesus need to recreate for you to visualize his desire to meet you in your deepest disappointments? Where might Jesus specifically address the areas of your life that need forgiveness and healing?
4. Jesus goes to where the pain is, as he so often does. He takes Simon Peter away from the others and has a heartfelt conversation where he asks “Do you love me?” Why do you think we often avoid hard conversations like this? Why are we reluctant to go where the pain is?
5. At the end of the restoration conversation, Jesus gives Peter a re-commissioning and a command. “Follow me”. Why do you think it’s important that Jesus offers Peter a concrete way of demonstrating he’s been forgiven? In what ways might you need to concretely communicate the restoration of a relationship in your life?