Meet me here as we sit on the seashore with Jesus and a broken man named Peter.
“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. …
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
“‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
“Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
“Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
“He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
“Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
“The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
“Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
“Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” -John 21:7-9, 15-19
Peter’s Redo
Jesus brought Peter to a metaphorical altar of fire, where shame and guilt and regret were consumed. He brought him to a new commissioning where Peter took hold of Jesus’ directives for his life. Everything in Peter’s heart toward Jesus was reignited at this altar of fire.
When Peter met Jesus for the first time while he was fishing, the Lord invited this fisherman to follow Him and, from then on, fish for men. He had done that for the last three years and failed when it seemed like everything mattered. This broken man heard that the Lord was on the shoreline, clothed his nakedness, and swam to shore.
Jesus knew Peter would need a redo and a moment with His Savior, face-to-face. He prepared a catch of abundant provision, an intimate breakfast for His disciples, and a burning fire of remembrance.
Maybe you need that, too.
The Invitation for Your Redo
Jesus has come and given you life in abundance (John 10:10). He has prepared a table before you this morning, in the presence of your enemies, and meets you in lavish mercy and grace. He wants to take all that holds you back, that causes you to wrap your outer garments around you to cover yourself up before you meet with Him, and recommission you into the fullness and abundance of His life, purposes, and plans. So come and sit around the fire, climb up on the altar, and let His words of life and recommissioning take hold of your heart.
He asks you, “Do you love Me?”
And again, “Do you love Me?”
And one more time, “Do you love Me?”
All three questions paralleled Peter’s three denials. But today, the repetition is for your own soul. You can remind yourself of and declare your love for Him. And because of His cross, resurrection, and ascension, you have all barriers to forgiveness, redemption, and healing removed. What you bring to Jesus out of your repentance, He takes and restores for His glory and your healing.
Finding New Beginnings
It’s at this fire on the shore of Tiberias that everything changed for Peter. He was able to move forward in God’s calling on his life. He didn’t need to return to fishing. He needed to follow God’s command to go and catch people, feed them, and build His Church. Today, we ask the Lord to take us to the same new beginnings and do-over so we can walk into this season of revival with freedom from past wounds and failures and walk in abundant wholeness. It’s at this altar of fire that we begin again.
You may find throughout your life that this passage of Scripture becomes foundational for you. I can testify that it has been for me, coming out of very dark and hard seasons throughout my 45 years with Jesus. Today, let it be a fresh encounter with the Lover of your soul at this altar of fire. The old has gone, and the new has come. Present yourself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord. Take His clean, warm garments, and take the cold, wet ones off. Let Him feed you and love you and heal you this morning as you stand by the fire He has prepared.
He who sees you loves you and will cause the flames of this fire to ignite your passion and His purposes from this day forward—just like He did for Peter. In the name of Jesus!
Join the Arise Movement
Women who are equipped to live boldly for the gospel are a key to unlocking movements of the gospel in the world’s spiritually darkest places. Through Arise, East-West helps women take action and follow the Holy Spirit to be bold and reach the lost. Understand your role in the Great Commission and be equipped to boldly bring the world an encounter with Jesus.
