Why didn’t the apostles immediately recognize
the Lord Jesus when he greeted them at the Sea of Tiberias? John gives us a
clue. He states that Peter had decided to leave Jerusalem and return to his
home district of Galilee, very likely so he could resume his fishing career.
Peter was discouraged and didn’t know what to do after the tragedy of Jesus’
death! He went back to his previous career out of despair and uncertainty. Some
of the other apostles followed him back to Galilee. When was the last time
Peter was commanded to let down his net after a futile night of fishing? It was
at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approached
Peter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to
lower his nets. Jesus told Peter that he would be ‘catching people” for the
kingdom of God. Now Jesus repeats the same miracle. John, the beloved disciple,
is the first to recognize the Lord. When Peter heard John says, "It
is the Lord!:, Peter impulsively leapt from the boat and ran to the Lord. Do
you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, and trials? The
Lord Jesus is always ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in
his promises.
Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say
the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The gospels, however, give us a vivid
picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way to offer
his disciples various proofs of his resurrection – that he is real and true
flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his third appearance to the apostles,
after Jesus performed the miraculous catch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and
ate with them. Peter’s prompt recognition of the Master and exclamation,
"It is the Lord!" stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial of
his Master during the night of arrest. The Lord Jesus is ready to reveal
himself to each one of us as we listen for his voice and open our hearts to
receive his word. Why did Jesus question Peter’s love and loyalty three times
in front of the other apostles? It must have caused Peter pain and sorrow since
he had publicly denied Jesus three times. Now Peter, full of remorse and
humility, unequivocally stated that he loved his master and was willing to
serve him whatever it might cost. When Jesus asks him "do you love me more
than these?" he may have pointed to the boats, nets and catch of fish. He
may have challenged Peter to abandon his work for the task of shepherding God's
people. Jesus also may have pointed to the other disciples and to Peter's
previous boast: "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never
fall away”. Peter now makes no boast or comparison but humbly responds:
"You know I love you".
The Lord Jesus calls each one of us, even in
our own personal weakness and sin, to declare our loyalty to him that we love
him first and foremost, above all else. Nothing but our own sinful pride and
stubborn wilfulness can keep us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). God's
love is a free and unmerited gift, far beyond what we deserve or could possibly
hope to obtain through our own means. We can never outmatch God in love. He
loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding graciousness
and mercy.
Fr.
Phil