Day 1 Rise and Fall

John 21:2–3

This week we’re reflecting on the third story of Jesus’ resurrection appearances in the Gospel of John. The scene is in Galilee, probably in Capernaum Peter’s home town. Bold declarative Peter, always in the lead Peter, getting out of the boat Peter, sword swinging Peter has returned home with a total head count of 7, not eleven disciples and empty pockets. His best idea for a next step is “Let’s go fishing.”

Why? Maybe it’s got something to do with that night around the charcoal fire when Peter insisted 3 times that he didn’t even know Jesus. As a leader of the disciples, he totally crashed and burned.

This week we’re looking at self-doubt. Peter has seen proof of Jesus’ resurrection. He know Jesus is Lord, but where does he fit in with this next Kingdom age? He is a failure. He’s spent three years of his life following Jesus, and now doesn’t have anything to show for it. Jesus is about to teach Peter that success or failure isn’t about what we accomplish, it’s about being connected to the One Who Holds the Plans.

Are you doubting yourself instead of believing in the power held by the resurrected Jesus?

Turn your failure over to Jesus.

Day 2 Fishing

John 21:3-5

After a failure, it’s easiest to take a step back and regroup. Self-doubt can make you afraid to move forward, yet that step back can hold more failure and more self-doubt. Peter and his companions have gone back to what they know – fishing – and after a night’s labor the boat is still empty. Remember, this isn’t a pleasure excursion. They’ve come back to escape Jerusalem and supply their family with some income.

Put yourself in that boat for a few minutes. It feels good to be out on the water again, but as the night wears on the thought creeps in, “What am I doing here? I can’t even get this right!” Does that frustration of failure feel familiar? Hear Jesus call out “Dearie, how’s that workin’ for ya?”

What sea of self-doubt is your boat bobbing in? Have a little confession conversation with Jesus and lay all hopes for the future in his hands.

Day 3 Success

John 21:6-14

Just about the time you think success is defined as a boat load of fish, you turn and see your resurrected Lord on the shore quietly cooking breakfast. The success of Jesus’ resurrection is encapsulated in a servant cooking a meal, providing the physical nourishment and the emotional encouragement so needed by this drifting band.

When our doubts grow out of uncertainty, uncertainty about ourselves, uncertainty about the future, Jesus is the one who knows the way. He is the one who holds the plan. He is the one who has given himself so you can be part of that plan.

Sit on “the beach” for a chunk of time in meditation and “taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8 (ESV)

Then read Revelation 5:7-10 to see heaven’s perspective of the success of God’s plan and join in the song of praise.

Day 4 Do you Love me?

John 21: 15-17

Here we enter into Peter’s part of the story, but we must also appreciate the gracious touch of his friend John retelling it. It contains the ring of symmetry with Peter’s triple denial, a story of failure and judgement, and Jesus’ threefold loving call to an active relationship. It reminds us again, that we are restored by Jesus’ love, not by our accomplishments.

“Do you love me more than these?” Hmmm, these what? This motherlode of fish and the security they represent. This group of companions shifting around for a future. This agenda you’re trying to patch together on your own strengths and abilities. It’s a call to a perspective founded in love for Jesus. Only him.

Imagine how the 3 repetitions pound into Peter. His conscience cannot miss the roadblock of his three failures to love Jesus. I don’t think it’s amiss to see tears in the grief of the third assertion, “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.”

Yes, Jesus knows everything. There’s no failure that we can hide, and also no failure that eliminates us from the loving call to love in return. Peter cannot protest his record, he can only fall on the love of Jesus that makes it possible to love.

You’ve laid your failures at Jesus feet. You’ve confessed your self-doubt. Today. Meditate on the love of God (Ephesians 3:14-21) and the solid future such a relationship holds for you. Spend some time praising your Loving Savior.

Day 5 Feed Them

John 21:15-19

Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. Jesus answers with another threefold that gives purpose. Loving God is a call to be active in the purpose he gives. The Good Shepherd has a flock and our purpose is not just to be obedient sheep, but fellow shepherds.

The first call is for the lambs, those truly vulnerable and without hope of survival with care. Lamb-ish qualities in people may or may not be indicated by age. What lambs are within your sphere of influence? How can you protect their vulnerability?

Tend has archaic roots in the action of listening. That evolves into paying full attention, not only to the individual tended but the environment and whole circumstance. Finally the meaning moves to the action of an attendant distilled as service. Who in your sphere of influence needs your listening ear? Who needs you to notice the larger picture of who they are and what they face? Who needs you to simply set aside your agenda and serve their needs?

Feed is a constant ongoing need for nurturing and nourishment. We are called into a long term relationship with God to give love in a way that is not a flyover airdrop of love into a moment. We are called to give a long commitment to being God’s loving presence in another life. Who do you have such a long commitment to? Who in your sphere of influence is in need of the long term approach?

Turn your thoughts into prayer knowing that only the love of God can make this kind of love possible.