The same but different

Here’s our reading today – two parts of John 21:

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 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!”

I wonder if you have ever had the experience of going back to somewhere you know well after a long time. Maybe going back home after time at uni – maybe going back to the place you used to live – or the school you went to…

Peter and his friends were a bit unsure what to do. They had had the amazing experience of seeing Jesus, alive again. They had gone back to Galilee as they had been told, but now what? So they went back to what they knew – fishing. This had been their life – but so much had changed in the last three years. I wonder what thoughts went through their minds that night, out on the lake.

Then, in the morning, they relive another experience from their past. Having caught nothing all night, a mysterious stranger instructs them to try again, and they catch a huge haul of fish. For one of the disciples the penny drops – and then Peter gets it – and being Peter he puts on his clothes and then jumps into the water to get to Jesus.

Jesus is cooking breakfast on the beach. They are sharing food together again. But so much has happened since they were last in this place together. And perhaps Peter feels it especially.

When Jesus takes Peter aside, he must be wondering what Jesus will say. One of the last things he said to Jesus was to promise that he would never desert him – and then after the arrest, all that resolve disappeared and in concern for his own safety he said ‘I don’t know this man’ – three times over.

Jesus does not dodge around what has happened. He doesn’t pretend that things can just return to how they were. He seems to want to remind Peter not just about what he did, but about who he really is and what is the fundamental the truth is about their relationship.

So three times, he says to Peter ‘Do you love me’. He knows the answer, but he wants Peter to say it. Peter does – eventually saying ‘Lord, you know all things – you know that I love you’. Jesus is helping Peter to see that this is the real truth about their relationship – about who he is. Facing up to his empty bluster and then his frightened denial can lead him into a new depth in his discipleship – one which will prepare him for his role of leading the others.

A friend of mine sent me some thoughts on the resurrection last week. He talked about how what Jesus accomplished on the cross reminded him of the Repair Shop. Someone brings something in which is of great emotional value to them, but is broken. Through the hard work and skill of the team, the item is restored, and there is a joyful meeting to hand back the precious object. Our relationship with ourselves, the world, and God, has been broken – but through the deeply costly labour of the cross, that relationship has been renewed.

I think that’s helpful, but it also reminds me of another picture. In the Japanese art of kintsugi, bowls and plates are repaired not with invisible mends, but with a lacquer mixed with powdered gold, so that the cracks still show. The break is acknowledged, and there is a transformation into something new, something even more beautiful.

Maybe that is how it is between us and God. God doesn’t just wipe the slate clean when we are forgiven. If we really face our need for forgiveness and healing, then through God’s grace we are led deeper, to understand that whatever our shallower thoughts and actions have been, our deepest desire is to be held in love by God, and to give ourselves to God in trust and service.

Our reading ends with Jesus saying to Peter ‘Follow me’. Since he first said that to Peter so much has happened, and Peter has changed. Now Jesus calls him again, at this new stage of his journey, and in a place of deeper understanding about his own brokenness and about God’s grace. He calls us too, again and again, as we travel through this life with him, growing in our understanding of brokenness and grace.

Have a look at the kintsugi plate. Think about Peter and Jesus – about new beginnings, forgiveness and grace.

Where might God be calling you to a new beginning with him…?

Where do you long for the healing of God’s grace?

What is your deepest desire?

Merciful God, 
in Christ you make all things new;
transform the poverty of our nature 
by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives 
make known your heavenly glory.