Written by Thomas McNeilly, Church Elder.

Of all the disciples, Peter is the one most easy to relate to. Here was a headstrong, impulsive character with obvious human flaws. A hard working fisherman who in one breath confidently steps out of the boat in faith, yet in the next minute is floundering among the waves as doubt overcame his fragile confidence. Somehow this was the best person that Jesus could find to be the rock upon which he would build his church. I doubt he would have been top of our list of candidates.

As we read through the Easter story we see multiple examples of Peter again doing the wrong thing when it matters most. In the garden of Gethsemane, when asked to keep watch as Jesus prayed in anguish, he repeatedly falls asleep. When Jesus is then arrested, he rashly strikes out and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant with a sword. Later that night, as Jesus is being accused by the Sanhedrin, Peter denies having anything to do with him on three separate occasions. It is only with the crowing of the rooster that Peter recalls the prediction Jesus made earlier during the last supper. At that time, he had confidently retorted that he would never deny Jesus, indicating a willingness to follow Jesus even to death. As Peter slips away following his public denial of Jesus, he is weeping bitterly in shame. In the same way, we are reminded of the many times when we also let Jesus down, despite prior promises we have made to put him first.

As the crucifixion is followed by the subsequent resurrection of Jesus, you could imagine the internal conflict that Peter was experiencing. On one hand he was overjoyed that his friend and beloved teacher was alive, while at the same time he would have been ridden with guilt for having so publicly denied him. Shaken in his confidence and not sure what to do next, he reverted back to the one thing he knew best – he went fishing. 

It is here that the bible sets the scene for a very personal reconciliation between Peter and his saviour. As an experienced fisherman Peter returns empty handed with little option but to respond to a stranger’s call from the shore. With the miraculous catch of fish, Peter realises who it must be waiting for him on the shore and with his impulsive nature at the forefront, jumps in to swim to shore not waiting for the boat to land. After preparing a breakfast of fresh fish that satisfied his physical needs, Jesus then took the next step of dealing with his spiritual needs. By asking three times whether he loved him, Jesus mirrors Peter’s previous denials reassuring him that he is truly forgiven. Not only that but Jesus then entrusts Peter with the responsibility of leading the newly formed church. 

When we think of how often our actions can seem counter to God’s plan, Peter’s story of reconciliation provides a comforting reassurance. Despite Peter’s public denial, his role in God’s kingdom was never in doubt – the plan for his life was already marked out and didn’t change. Similarly God has a unique plan for our lives and there is nothing that we can do to ruin it. As we come into the Easter season, we are reminded that God’s love for us is far greater than any of our shortcomings.

Philippians 1:6 – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

This is the good news of Easter.

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