Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” – John 21:3

At this point in the story, Jesus had already spent a couple years with His disciples teaching them, was crucified, rose again, and appeared to the disciples more than once. 

Now Jesus hadn’t reappeared to his disciples for a short time (I’m not sure the actual duration) when Peter decided to go fishing, his pre-Jesus trade.

I’m picturing Peter sitting and marinating on everything that Jesus had said and done and being completely in awe to the point of being physically locked up, not knowing where to start or how to apply everything that had happened over the past three years… finally he throws his hands in the air and says, “I’m going fishing!” 

There are times when I look around me and inside me and I think, “I’m out! I’m going fishing! Or burying myself in something else completely.” 

Then Jesus reappears to seven of His disciples for the third time after His resurrection, calls the disciples in from the water, and the famous story of Jesus asking Peter, “Do you love me?” unfolds. 

“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” 

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” 

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” 

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” 

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” 

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” 

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” —John 21:15-19

Peter’s assignment had been made clear. Jesus, the shepherd of all who believe, tells Peter, “If you love me, feed and take care of My sheep. Follow me… even to death.”

Turns out our confusion lies in our focus. When I look around me and inside of me, I don’t know what to do. It appeared Peter didn’t know what to do either..  – his focus and our focus gets off the target. So Jesus reappears again to help get him back on target. Him. God’s will. Because He knows the plans God has for us, real and eternal life, hope and a future. Jeremiah 29 and John 17

Check out Peter’s very human response: 
Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved— Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” 

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” —‭‭John‬ ‭21:20-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Being reminded that God is all that matters – that all the other ‘things’ going on around us that distract us from Him are just that, distractions. Being reminded that God can sustain me through any and every circumstance – is a gift more precious than anything else on this earth… even silver and gold.

My assignment is clear: feed His sheep. And like all His sheep, I hunger for more of Him – His words – His story – His love – His light  – Him. 

I pray this message offers nourishment to His sheep today and points them to Him.

Godspeed.