Life Ministries

 “Second Chances”
 John 21:1-17

    His name is Simon Peter. We remember him as the disciple who tried to walk on water, but started sinking when the wind and the waves blew his faith away. He was the one who testified Jesus as the Son of God, yet denied him three times in one night. He swore never to forsake his master, but ran away for fear of his life. Simon Peter, a man of broken promises…a man of failure.

    His name is Simon Peter. We remember him as a great Apostle. He boldly and tirelessly proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God. He baptized hundreds and perhaps thousands of people. He performed many miracles by healing the sick and even raising the dead. People chased his shadow believing that if his shadow fell upon them, they would be healed. Simon Peter: a man of great success and fame in the church of Jesus Christ.
    What made the difference between the first Simon Peter, and the second Simon Peter was the account in our scripture of Jesus – as he walked - approaching the shoreline – He was the God of “Second Chances”.
    It is interesting that in Mark’s gospel, we read about the women going to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus; there they see an angel who tells them “Don’t be alarmed, you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But, go tell his disciples AND PETER, he is going ahead of you into Galilee.” This kind of gives us a little hint that Jesus was especially concerned for Peter…“make sure you tell Peter”…
    The same reference in the Gospel of Luke says that two angels appeared and said “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here! He has risen!” It goes on to say that when they came back from the tomb they told all this to the disciples, but they “did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb…he saw the strips of linen and went away wondering to himself what had happened.” John’s account, of course, tells us that both he and Peter ran to the tomb…
    The curious thing about John’s Gospel is that the verses previous to our text – John 20:30 seemed to be the end of the story; it’s like John recounts the appearances of Jesus – but leaves out the Great Commission and the Ascension…and says “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name… The end.
    Then, chapter 21 is like an after-thought…”Oh yea, I almost forgot the time Jesus appeared on the shore when we were fishing…” John was there, and gives us the account of Jesus reinstating Peter…giving Peter a second chance.
    It is interesting that the first time Jesus called Peter he was also fishing. In Luke 5:5 Jesus tells Peter to “go out into deeper water and let down your nets for a catch”…Peter says “Master, we have worked all night and haven’t caught a thing!”  In John 21 it says that they again fished all night and caught nothing…Then Jesus comes and says “Let down your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some fish”… In Luke 5 they caught so many fish their nets began to break…In John 21 “they were unable to haul in the net for the large number of fish”…In the first encounter, Jesus was in the boat with them…this time they were on their own…however Jesus was near, and directed them…there is significance in that. At any rate, John thinks this is to much like dejavu’ and shouts…It’s the Lord!”…and, of course, Peter jumps out of the boat!
    Now, all that being said, how do you suppose Peter felt? He had fled at the first sign of trouble; He denied even knowing Jesus for fear of his own life; He didn’t believe the women, nor did he believe the two men from Emmaus…He felt defeated, and now, here was Jesus - just like the first time they had met. But, what would he say? Could he still love me after all I have done? Is there still a place and a purpose for me in his kingdom? Will he give me another chance?
    We soon find out that it was not Jesus intent to push the knife of guilt any deeper into Peter’s heart, but rather it was his intention to remove Peter’s guilt…to remove the heart ache…and offer Peter a chance to start over. So, in full view of all the other disciples that were there, Jesus turns to Peter and says “Peter, do you love me more than these?” (Which could be a reference to “more than the other disciples, or more than fishing…)  Jesus deliberately uses “Agape’” as the form of the word love; And, Peter says “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Peter’s form of the word however is ”Philio” which means “friend. “Lord, you are my best friend!” Jesus tells him “Good, here’s the priority – “Feed my sheep!” Again Jesus says; “Simon, do you love – (Agape’) me?” Peter again uses the word “Philio” - “Lord, you know that I really care about you”… And, Jesus says “Here’s the priority – Take care of my sheep!” The third time Jesus asks the same question using the same form “Agape’ …This time Peter answers “Lord, you know all things, and you know that I Agape’ you” - I love you with a divine love, a godly love…Jesus says “Here’s the priority, Feed my sheep!”
    When Jesus first met Peter in Matthew 4:19 he said “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”… now, once again, forgiven and reinstated, Jesus says to Peter “Follow me!”
    There are two other separate occasions when Jesus appeared to His disciples, yet Jesus did not confront Peter. He gave him time! Then he gave him a second chance. Instead of rebuking Peter for his failures, Jesus gives him another chance to prove himself. Jesus was not looking to Peter’s past, he was looking to Peter’s future…He was looking to what Peter was going to do from that moment on…
    Now, all of this of course begs the question; How many of us find ourselves in a position spiritually, in our relationship with Christ and our service to the kingdom where we could use a second chance?  A second chance to tell Jesus, the risen, living Lord, that we love him, and we want to prove it by “feeding his sheep” and “fishing for men”… we want to serve him in whatever capacity he desires to use us. By the way, just so I'm clear, we only get second chances in this life. Now is the time!