Jerusalem was in an uproar. The solemn feast of Passover had been desecrated by the Romans with the execution of three criminals. Make that two criminals and one wandering rabbi. On the day of their crucifixion, an unexpected eclipse had plunged the city into darkness from noon until 3:00 in the afternoon. That was followed by an earthquake. And then came word that the massive curtain that shielded the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple had been torn in two. The earthquake had shattered many tombs and people reported that certain holy people who had been long dead were seen walking about the city streets.
And now? Now the rumors were saying that the crucified rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, was alive, risen from the grave. The leaders of the Jewish religious counsel and the Roman officials all said that the followers of Jesus had overpowered an armed guard, rolled away the two ton stone sealing the tomb, and stolen the body to make it seem as though Jesus was alive. Peter and the remaining ten apostles, along with some women who had been close to Jesus were said to be in hiding as both the Sanhedrin and Roman soldiers searched the city for them and for answers.
Peter and the ten were indeed in hiding – in the same upper room where they had celebrated Passover with Jesus just a few days before. They knew the rumors of Jesus rising from the dead were true, for Jesus had come to visit them – twice. Even though the doors were locked and the windows closed, He had appeared to them; once when only ten of them were present and again when Thomas had rejoined the frightened group. So, Jesus, their rabbi and master was alive, but the followers were still being hunted by the authorities. Peter came to a decision. “I am going home. I am going to Galilee. Who is with me?”
In the end, they all decided to come. It would be much safer for them in the little fishing village on the Sea of Tiberias than it was in the great city. And besides, so very many of the pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover were now going home. It would be easy to mingle with the departing crowds. And so they left.
Peter, his brother Andrew and their friends James and John were all fishermen. Here in Peter’s mother-in-law’s house they felt at home and safe. One evening, Peter said. “I have to make a living somehow. I am going fishing. Who is with me?”
Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two others agreed to go with him and as the sun set, they launched their boat out onto the waters of the Sea of Tiberias, also known as the Sea of Galilee. All night long, they rowed from one spot to another, casting their net into the sea and drawing it up again…and caught absolutely nothing. The horizon was just beginning to grow light with the false dawn when, all tired out, they decided to row for shore.
As they neared the beach and just as the sun lifted above the water, they saw the light of a fire on the shore. A man was standing near the water’s edge and called out to them. “Children! Have you caught any fish?”
“No!” they said.
Then he told them, “Cast your net on the right side of your boat and you will find some.”
Tired as they were, they did as he said and instantly their net was filled with so many fish that the seven men could not even pull it back into the boat. John remembered that some years ago, something very similar had happened and he just knew. “It is the Lord!” he shouted.
Peter pulled on his cloak, for he had taken it off while he was working. Then he jumped overboard and swam for the shore. The other six men followed in the boat, rowing as hard as they could and towing the overflowing fishing net.
When they got out on the beach they saw a charcoal fire with fish roasting over it and a pile of bread. The man said, “Bring some of the fish you have caught and come, have some breakfast.”
The men all looked at each other in wonder. Peter hauled the net out of the water. They counted out the fish in their net – 153! – and the net was not torn. Then they looked again at the man inviting them to breakfast. They had so many, many questions. They knew it was Jesus, but how? As they settled onto the sand, Jesus came to each of them with bread and roasted fish and they ate. This was the third time that Jesus had appeared to them, although the last time had been in Jerusalem.
After they finished eating, Jesus took Peter aside and they walked along the beach. The other men tended to their catch – a very good day’s wage. As Peter and Jesus walked, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these others?”
Peter said, “Of course I love you. You know that.” But Peter could not help but remember that just a short while ago he had denied even knowing Jesus.
Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.”
Then Jesus asked Peter again, “Do you love me?”
And again Peter said, “Yes, I love you.”
And Jesus said, “Tend my sheep.”
A little further on Jesus asked once more, “Simon Peter, do you love me?”
Now, Peter’s feelings were hurt. How could Jesus doubt him? He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you!”
And Jesus answered, “Feed my sheep.”
Peter was puzzled by Jesus’ response, but again, he remembered. Peter had denied Jesus three time. Three times, Jesus had asked Peter if he loved Him. And then Jesus had given Peter a job – to look after all the other followers of Christ. Peter finally knew he had been forgiven.
But Peter. Oh, but Peter. He never could quite be satisfied. He turned to look at his friend John and asked, “Lord, what about this man?”
I think Jesus laughed. He told Peter, “What business is that of yours? If it is my will that he remains until I come again, what is that to you? You follow me! So the saying went out that John would never die. But that is not what Jesus said. He only told Peter to mind his own business and to be careful about he followed Jesus. Then Jesus told them to return to Jerusalem and wait until the Helper should come to them.
And that is something Jesus asks of us, no matter how old or how young we are. “Do you love me?” And that is something Jesus tells us about all other people. “What business is that of yours? Whether they follow me or do not follow me, you follow me.
Kathy Kexel 