"Thrice denied; thrice reconciled"

First given April 25, 1998, Advance Lay Speaker Training,
St. Mark's UMC, Louisville, TN

 The Scripture is John 21:1-19

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias (also called Galilee). It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I’m going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We’ll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, "Friends, haven’t you any fish?"

"No," they answered.

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved (don’t you love the way John refers to himself) 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. (Did you ever wonder where Jesus got the fish? Always ready to provide …)

Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

(By the way: Farfetched meanings have been ascribed to the number "153." One was once attributed to a second century poet who said there were 153 species of fish in the world; presenting the possibility that the number represented the universal mission of the apostles; the unbroken net, the unifying power of the church. The more likely truth: Every fisherman wants to tell you how many fish he caught!)

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead."

Let's reflect on that.

The tomb is empty.

The disciples are disturbed, crestfallen and bewildered. Jesus appears and consoles Mary Magdalene at the tomb; then, appears to the disciples in Jerusalem on the evening of Easter day, affirming the Resurrection; and then, to Thomas, the doubter, a week later to demonstrate that He is Risen.

Consolation, to Mary.

Affirmation, to the disciples.

Demonstration, to Thomas.

And finally, he comes to Simon Peter, with reconciliation.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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. I tell you the truth, 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!"

You may recall in John 13 that Peter tells Jesus, "I will lay down my life for you."

Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows you will disown me three times."

And Peter did.

As Jesus was being questioned by the high priest, Peter was in the courtyard warming himself by the fire.

Once

Twice

Thrice, Peter denied Christ … and the rooster crowed.

Just as Christ felt the separation from the Father as he took the sins of the world upon himself on The Cross, so must Peter have felt the anguish of separation from this Lord.

The distance from the courtyard door to where Jesus was being interviewed by the high priest Annas must have felt like the gulf of eternity.

Now, at the Sea of Galilee, Jesus reconciles Peter to himself by giving the disciple three opportunities to affirm his love.

"Simon, do you truly love me?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Simon do you TRULY love me?"

"Yes, Lord, you know I do."

"Simon do you love me?"

"Lord, you know all things, surely you know that I love you."

Thrice denied; thrice reconciled.

How often have we denied Jesus … with words … with deeds … with missed deeds … in our minds … and in our hearts?

But in three days, from The Cross to the empty tomb, we were reconciled to God through Christ Jesus.

And in the end, he affirms his trust and love for each of us saying, "Follow me!"

The Rev. Frank "Buzz" Trexler is managing editor at The Daily Times and pastor of Green Meadow United Methodist Church, wwwthemeadow.org. You can e-mail him at PastorBuzz@nxs.net.