After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples…and he revealed himself in this way. John 21:1
How does Jesus reveal himself to us? How can we recognize him when he shows up? These are pressing questions I often hear from people exploring their relationship with God and an important matter to address if one is to come to know his voice as a living force in their life.
Many times, people feel as if the presence of Jesus is difficult to discern or he is completely absent from their lives. They want Jesus to show up in clear, predictable ways, and grow frustrated when it doesn’t happen the way they expect. It is true that Jesus can be subtle when he reveals himself, and does so in a variety of ways. This means his presence can be overlooked when we are struggling with anxiety or impatience.
Thankfully, Jesus is faithful and persistent. Even when we’ve been indifferent, or ignorant of his love, if we truly desire to see him, he will reveal himself to us. The story of Peter’s renewal in John 21 can serve as an invitation when our hearts are needing a fresh revelation of Christ.
Looking in All the Wrong Places
When Jesus finds Peter in this story, Peter was not where he was supposed to be. Following the resurrection of Jesus, Peter was a key witness. However, he was no doubt struggling with his own anxieties of where he stood with Christ since he had recently denied Jesus. So, Peter found himself back on fishing boat, running to his past, returning to life before he had met Christ.
Perhaps fishing would still be a weekend hobby for Peter, or a side-job to make ends meet. But the interaction that unfolds in this story shows Peter’s heart was not where it needed to be. Peter doesn’t even recognize Jesus at first. Jesus appears to Peter to be just another stranger on the shore, shouting out misguided fishing instructions. Even when the crew brings in an unbelievable haul of fish after a night of empty nets, Peter still doesn’t get it.
It isn’t until John exclaims, “It is the Lord” that Peter understands. Many times, when our hearts are distracted, we will simply overlook the presence of Christ in our lives without a friend like John to direct our attention. Thankfully, Peter demonstrates the right response once we recognize God’s presence: move toward him as fast as you can! Once you’re there, stay with him, even when it gets painful…
Answering Tough Questions
Jesus wasn’t with Peter the night Peter denied him, and nothing in the gospels indicates that Jesus actually heard Peter do so. Perhaps Peter thought this was still a secret from Jesus. Now that Jesus was sharing a meal with him, it may seem that everything was restored. But Jesus knew better.
Jesus sets the scene by calling his wayward disciple, “Simon, son of John.” He does not call him Cephas or Peter, the name he had given to him when they first met. This might be the first indication to Peter that Jesus knew what was up. Then the questioning begins.
Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter responds affirmatively, but tentatively each of the first two times. There are multiple words translated as “love” in the New Testament and while Jesus asks about a sacrificial love, Peter chooses to respond with a form of love that means, “I love you like a brother.” This word choice seems to imply, “I know I let you down.” Jesus adapts to Peter by asking the last time with the same word Peter has been using all along. Its as if Jesus asks, “Do you really love me as much as you say you do?”
With this question, Peter’s spirit sinks. What can he say, what can he do, to show how sorry he is for abandoning Christ in his hour of need? Will this relationship ever be restored? One might also wonder, why did Jesus show up just to inflict this pain on Peter? But even when we don’t know where he’s headed, Jesus knows where we need to go.
Follow Me
It is often true that our hearts are not ready to return to Christ until they’ve gone through the pain of our betrayal. This should not be taken as some sadistic religious rite of passage. Rather, pain in these cases can be a sign that we’ve allowed our hearts to feel again. We are no longer numbed by our indifference to the love of Christ, and like the tingling of frozen hands next to a fire, this sensation of pain is a sign of hope.
In the end, Jesus accepts Peter’s confession of love. Then he reminds him he is called to be a shepherd, not a fisherman. Jesus implores Peter repeatedly: “feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep.” That last command reminds Peter that even when they should be mature and able to care for themselves, followers of Christ may need feeding still…just like Peter did. Finally, Jesus predicts Peter’s sacrificial conclusion to life and despite Peter’s early denial, Jesus invites Peter again to be his disciple.
How important this conversation must have been to Peter! To be reassured that he was restored to Christ was the best promise imaginable to Peter. Yet, he would not have recognized Christ without the help of his friend John, and he would not have the full assurance without the willingness to sit with Jesus through the painful conversation. As we pray for Christ to reveal himself to us, let us remember that his presence may not always be obvious to us, and our encounters may not be entirely pleasant. But with the help of trusted companions, the willingness to remain with the painful moments and the confidence that Christ is faithful, we can recognize when he reveals himself to us.
For Prayer and Reflection
- Can you think of a time where God showed up in your life at an unexpected time or place? How did you respond?
- If you were to sit with Jesus right now, what questions do you think he might ask you? What matters on your heart would he speak to? What topics might you want to avoid? Will you open yourself up to him?
- When Jesus did show up, Peter didn’t recognize him without John’s help. Who do you know that can play the role of John for you? Are you showing up with them?