John 21
Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. 4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who He was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. 6 Then He said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. 7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. 12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to His disciples since He had been raised from the dead.
Peter goes back to what he knows best, fishing. The fish weren't cooperating that night. The disciples had been trying but had caught nothing. Then, this guy on shore tries to tell them how to fish! John recognizes Him first, it's Jesus, John's closest friend.
Peter, who has always been a little impulsive, dives into the water and swims ashore. Dripping wet, he stands in front of Jesus, speechless. What do you say when you are face to face with the man you denied, not once but three times?
What is the biggest mistake you have ever made? If you're like me, you can think of several whoppers. Was there someone you needed to make it up to? Maybe something you needed to reconcile? Or worse,because of a blunder, paid a heavy price?
Jesus forgave Peter, Jesus forgives you. The hard part is forgiving ourselves. If Jesus can forgive us and cast our sins as far as the east is from the west, we aught to forgive ourselves. We are human, we make mistakes. We learn from them and go on. We no longer need to live with the condemnation of our regrets. That was a hard concept for me to grasp when I first became a Christian but now I don't even question it. I know I am forgiven by the King of Kings. Since God, in His complete Holiness can forgive me, why shouldn't I accept I am forgiven and set free from guilt and shame?
Next time you make a mistake, big or small, repent to Jesus. Then, forgive yourself, give yourself a break! You're only human!
Blessings, Cecilia
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