Denied

“You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm.

As Peter was standing by a fire at the early morning hours (before the rooster crows) he denies Jesus three times! I’d like to think that I would never deny Jesus anything, especially myself. I bet Peter never thought he would either.

Truth is I have denied Christ at certain times in my life- sometimes bigger than others. Maybe it hasn’t been with my mouth, but with actions, or my heart. In fact, I bet most of us have denied Him at some point.

Tom Johnson, a wonderful friend and teacher taught at our bible study on Monday night. We read John 21 where Jesus appears for a third time to the disciples.

John 21 “I’m going out to fish, “Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.”

Why is Peter choosing to live life as a fisherman again? Initially when Jesus came he called the fishermen to drop what they were doing to follow Him. Why is Peter fishing again? I wonder if he wasn't overwhelmed with guilt and a feeling of inadequacy. After all, he did deny Christ three times.

So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No," they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” 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 wrapped his outer garment around him and jumped into the water.

Why did Peter wrap his garment around him? Was he ashamed… needed some sort of barrier between Him and the Lord? I don’t know.

Now Peter and the disciples make it to shore… where a fire is waiting. The time is in the early morning. Does this sound familiar? If not, just wait. Keep reading.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

There are a few incredible things here… One- look at the time and setting. It is a very similar picture to when Peter denied him the first time. Even before Jesus asks Peter these questions he prepares fish (a meal) for them. Two- I have heard that Easterners did not eat all together unless all problems were worked out between them and everyone was “on good terms” with each other. I find this incredible because Jesus still welcomes Peter at the table. This in turn displays forgiveness already. Three- As if that is not enough, he asks Peter three times… do you love me? Could Jesus’ three questions be taking the place of the three times he had denied Christ before? Peter, humbled deeply is reconciled to Christ through this process. Even though nothing can change the past, Peter is still embraced by His dear friend with whom he had denied when things got tough. The setting, the people, the early morning was the same… but this time Peter’s answer was different.

What an incredible way for Christ to show Peter his forgiveness. He gave him a second chance. He gave him the opportunity to visit those previous situations and make amends for his past mistake. Incredible.

I think about the times in which I have confidently and deliberately denied Christ. How I have weakened when I shouldn’t have. Then I think of how God visits Peter personally and paints the picture for him again so that he can re-visit it and make things right. I want that.

I have that.