PETER KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT THE LORD
JOHN 21:3-7
JOHN 21:3-7 NKJ
3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?"
They answered Him, "No."
6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and plunged into the sea.
OBSERVATION:
The time period around Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection was a roller coaster of emotions for Peter.
From the last supper to the arrest in the garden. The denial in the high priest's courtyard to the cross. Those would be low times. Then the resurrection and the wonder of seeing Jesus again. Those would be the high times, with a caveat. There was still that issue about denying Jesus three times.
But Peter was able to get past that major fall. Maybe because Jesus appeared to him and still treated him as a disciple. But maybe it was something else.
Peter knew that the Lord was merciful, and the Lord was good. Peter had walked with Jesus for three and a half years. He had seen Jesus reach out to people religion did not want. He watched Jesus treat women with dignity and respect. Saw Him touch lepers and be touched by women with bad reputations without flinching. Peter saw that Jesus was the antithesis of the harsh, legalistic rulers of that day. That Jesus was different, very different.
So when John called out that it was the Lord, Peter, with his typical headfirst manner, jumps into the water.
John does make a point of mentioning that they were not that far from land. And that they had to drag the net ashore. All without Peter.
But Peter knew. He knew Jesus would not reject him. That Jesus was love personified, and he was still good with Jesus.
APPLICATION:
Knowing what Peter knew would be a big benefit to our Christian life. To know that the Lord is really good. That our Father is gracious and forgiving. That we are not forsaken or ignored but rather deeply loved of God.
Knowing this will add some enthusiasm to our walk with the Lord. Knowing this will enable us to receive forgiveness much quicker. And instead of running from the Lord when we mess up, we will run, or swim, to Him.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, that You are good. You were good to Peter, and You are good to me.