On this last Sunday of the Easter Season, we’re looking at Peter. He is such a relatable New Testament figure. In turns brashly bold and fearfully failing, he often looks before he leaps and speaks before he thinks—much like me.
In the Easter stories, we hear of him running to the tomb
after the women’s report and finding it empty. Later he decides to return to
Galilee to the familiar task of fishing. This is found in John 21:1-14. Seven
of the disciples are at Lake Tiberias and decide to go fishing. However, they
didn't catch a thing that night.
Morning brings an amazing surprise when they see a stranger
on the shore who asks if they caught anything. He then suggests, Let your
net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish. The
resulting haul is so big they cannot get the net into the boat. The ‘favorite’
disciple realizes It's the Lord! Peter leaps into the water and paddles
to shore leaving the others to drag in the net.
Jesus already has a meal prepared. After eating, Jesus has a
somewhat odd conversation with Peter about ‘feeding sheep.’ In this way, Peter
is forgiven and reconciled for his denial of Jesus after his arrest. Jesus ends
by simply saying, Follow me!
Are you an impetuous, jump into the sea, follower or a more careful, drag the net to shore, type? God honors both and everything in between.
The Sunday Gospel (John 17:6-19) is part of Jesus final
prayer with and for his disciples before his arrest. He is commending the
disciples to God’s protection and power. He notes, all mine are yours, and
yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them…protect them in your name
that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
Jesus continues with a warning of the cost of
discipleship—the cost of following. He states, the world has hated them
because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I
am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them
from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to
the world…As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the
world.
Following Jesus, as Peter has already learned, is not easy.
It can be way too easy to deny him than to acknowledge relationship to Christ.
It can be tempting to try to save your reputation, or even your life, instead
of standing up for God’s justice and truth. It can be far too easy to try and
get God to do things the way we want, rather than wait for God’s timing and
way.
Jesus even warns Peter of what will happen in the end. He
tells his friend, when you are old, you will hold out your hands. Then
others will wrap your belt around you and lead you where you don't want to go. Tradition
says that Peter was crucified (upside down) in Rome, but the Biblical record
doesn’t tell us anything concrete.
We know, from Acts, that the forgiven Peter became the
leader of the followers in Jerusalem and preached a powerful sermon on the day
of Pentecost (next week). We know he baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius and
he is credited with a couple of letters to the early churches. His path was not
easy, but his obedience can be an inspiration.
Like Peter, we are invited to “Follow.” That takes many
forms. It can be church work or activism. It can be full of power or poverty,
joy and grief. “Follow” is how we live out our daily lives, trying out best to
love one another and honor God in each other.
Where will following Jesus lead you? The road may not be clear, so simply trust the One who knows the route.
You are invited to follow the THY KINGDOM COME meditations
on the Women’s Ministry Website through Pentecost.
