“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” (John 21:15-25)
The plan for the future of fallen man was unwrapped in the Resurrection; and that future is rarely as we would have planned, but it is Divine.
Peter had walked with Jesus, seemingly in a position of favor, but as the crucifixion was unfolding, Peter lost his footing then his self-perceived position of prestige. After Jesus’ arrest and later unlawful trial before the Sanhedrin, Peter had openly denied that he even knew Jesus three times. He was overwhelmed by grief and humiliation of his heart, then his words.
Jesus had died! “What? Jesus wasn’t supposed to die; that wasn’t in my plans,” thought Peter. He was stunned! Yet, Jesus had risen from the dead; this truth had befuddled him with pronounced joy. But now what? In his emotional state, Peter wasn’t sure what he was to do. He was determined to go back to his old job of three years ago; fishing. After one long night and empty nets, he hears then sees, Jesus on the shore. He obeyed Jesus’ commands and was given an abundant harvest overflowing in the nets.
Afterward, Jesus privately initiated that now infamous dialog concerning Peter’s love for Jesus, and then the finer details of his calling in life. Peter was blessed to have a vision of the risen LORD, as He walked with him on the earth prior to His ascension. But there’s another vision of Jesus after His ascension which John was blessed and moved by that we need to visit often:
“I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Revelation 1:9-18)
This vision is the accurate depiction of our ascended, enthroned, empowered, and authoritative LORD Jesus Christ. It helps me when in spiritual warfare praying, to capture this vision of Jesus as He is now on my side.
Beloved, in these often-difficult days, these are the things we must have in our walk with the LORD: a vision of Jesus as He now is, empowered, and in our midst; a spirit of obedience to Him; a heart of compassionate love in all our personal interactions.
Believer, He Is Alive and on His Throne! Have a blessed Resurrection Day! Pray On!