Our journey of faith is one of growing into wholeness through Jesus. As we saw yesterday, Peter could only commit to a brotherly love for Jesus. Earlier, he had boasted of his agape love for Jesus, only to fail by denying Jesus three times. Now, by the Sea of Galilee, Peter did not trust himself to declare that he would love Jesus sacrificially.
Jesus met him where he was with a brotherly love. But then Jesus prophesied that Peter would die a martyr’s death. John 21: 18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” [1]
This always seemed like a disconnected part of the story until I considered what kind of love it would take to be a martyr. You must have agape love, a committed sacrificial love, to die for someone. Jesus knew that Peter could only commit to brotherly love at this point, but that he would grow into an agape love as he followed Him.
Restored for a Purpose
Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Once for each time Peter denied Him. Each time Jesus told Peter to care for the flock, which would be the church. God had a job for Peter: to lead the church. But he should be a shepherd and care for them, not just give them orders to follow. But to be a caring, effective leader, the rest would need to trust Peter.
All the disciples knew Peter had publicly denied knowing Jesus. Most of the time, correcting someone should be done in private to avoid embarrassment. In this case, Jesus did it publicly in front of the other disciples. Why? Jesus knew that persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom were ahead for believers. If Peter had denied Jesus, the others might have worried that Peter would betray them. The believers would need to trust Peter for him to lead well. Thus, Jesus publicly reinstated Peter to the task ahead.
A Restoration for a Renewed Call
Three years earlier, Jesus had given Peter a great catch of fish and a command to follow Him. Now, Jesus renewed that call. For Peter and us, following Jesus isn’t a one-time thing. It becomes a lifelong journey of faith. “Follow Me” is a present-tense imperative meaning “Keep on following.”[2] Peter would be growing into wholeness as he followed Jesus’ way. It is the same for us.
Jesus had a task for Peter, and He has a task for each of us as we walk this earth. He will call and recall us to this if necessary. For even if we are not where we need to be spiritually, as we follow Jesus, He will enable us to grow in faith. He died for our sins. When we repent and confess, He forgives us. This restores our relationship with God and allows us to grow and work in His Kingdom. Our purpose from God is not to bring us glory on this earth but to bring God glory in His Kingdom. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-restoration
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 21:19). Tyndale House Publishers.