FRIDAY 17th APRIL 2020

FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2020

There was nothing else to do, so I went back to fishing.

We knew he was alive; we had seen him, and then he went away, without leaving any instructions.

So I said, ‘let’s go back to the fishing’, and the others agreed.

I mean, we had to feed ourselves somehow; you can’t just exist on fresh air and memories.

So we went back to the fishing and caught nothing.

I wondered if we had lost our touch, .............been too long away.................

And then, in the morning, someone shouted that our nets were on the wrong side.

‘What does he know?’ I grunted, but to please the others, I hauled them in and then cast them back out.

And when the net began to strain, I got this funny feeling in the pit of my tummy.

‘What does he know?’ I had grunted..............Now I knew.............

I knew who ‘HE’ was, and knew that HE knew everything.

When we got back to the shore, he didn’t give me or any of us a row, he just said,

‘Would you like some breakfast?’

And then he fed us so that..........................? well.............?

I only realized why he had fed us when, in a private moment,

He looked me straight in the face three times and said,

‘Do you love me Peter?’

The first time I was embarrassed;

The second time I was annoyed;

The third time I was convinced.

‘Yes I love you...........you know I do!’

‘THEN FEED MY LAMBS’

‘AND FEED MY LAMBS’

‘AND FEED MY SHEEP’

And then I realized that he had fed us, so that we could feed others;

And that he loved us, so that we could love others in the same way.

Of all the resurrection appearances this is my most favourite, as Peter, who must have been feeling so guilty, realizes, that he is forgiven and loved by his Lord.

Yes, he slipped up big time, but, all is not lost, there is work for him to do in serving Jesus.

Peter is learning an important lesson, that, Paul would write about years later,

“ We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.”

A reminder to all of us that no experience we have is ever wasted if we love God.

On the night Peter denied Jesus, we read,

‘Just as Peter was speaking, the rooster crowed.

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.

Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken to him'

Peter was broken, but..............

Now, on the beach, Jesus looks into his friends’ eyes and Peter is able to lift his head again, and move forward in faith and trust.

I think I am so drawn to this resurrection meeting, because I know what it is to fall short of that which the Lord requires of me..............not once.......but many times over the years..........and yet.........time and again I have known the sweet joy of the Saviour’s restoring touch.

I pray this day, that if anything is troubling you, that you would seek the Lord’s face and know his healing touch.

Prayer

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, thou wilt receive; wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.