Peters Anguish

“When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he…threw himself into the sea” – John‬ ‭21:7‬

I love this part of the Gospel. Peter, just a few days before had denied knowing Jesus. 3 times.

Jesus endures the cross.

He was dead.

Saturday was probably the longest for Peter. You can still today feel the anguish Peter was undoubtedly going through. He had denied his best friend. His Lord. His Savior. 3 times. He had let down Jesus in the worst way possible. What good was Peter now. He was far beyond messy.

This is the Gospel. The Good News. Romans 5:8 saved my life. I was born into the church. Went every Sunday. But I never got it. I never understood what the big deal about Jesus was because it didn’t even seem like most church people really got. Seemed like most were more concerned with masking their mess on Sunday’s. The good ole “I’m good!”  Even though that couldn’t be further from reality.

Romans 5:8 tells me that God came into our lives AT OUR MESSIEST and LOVED US in spite of that. LOVED us so much even though we were of ZERO use to Him. He loved us so much that He gave up His Son, Jesus. To die. For us. For you. For me.

So here is Peter. Saturday was so long. He probably spent most of it crying. Confused. He was of no use anymore. Jesus was dead. He had no value. How could he have disowned Jesus 3 times? How could he have let his best friend and Lord down?

Then Sunday came.

John exclaims: “IT’S THE LORD!!!” Peter immediately throws himself into the sea because he (well he’s not one to think before doing something) knows he needs Jesus. He needs to see Him.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”  (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”  – John 21:15-19 (ESV)

This conversation between Jesus and Peter is the most beautiful and hopeful conversations in the Bible (my opinion). Jesus knew the anguish Peter was feeling so Jesus goes straight to him. To reconcile Peter. To let Peter know that even at his worst, even in the midst of his messiest moment that Jesus still LOVED him.

Jesus went to Peter at his messiest, worst moment and affirms His love for him.

Maybe that is you today. Maybe you are in your messiest moment RIGHT NOW! I want you to know that Jesus came at just the right moment (Romans 5:6-8) and He reaches down into your mess. Your filth. Your feelings of unworthiness and He goes to the cross for you. To reconcile your relationship with the Father.

Friday has come and gone.

You’ve been living in Saturday for far too long.

It’s Sunday and HE IS ALIVE!!

The time for weeping is no longer. It’s time to celebrate our risen Savior.