Obedience Before Revelation

Peter demonstrated his love for Jesus by leaving the comfort of the boat.

The boat was right there. Safe. Familiar. Everything Peter knew was in that boat. And yet, the moment he heard Jesus was near, he did not deliberate. He jumped.

Most of us do not jump. We sit with our shame, our regret, our quiet distance from God - and we wait. Perhaps that's exactly where you are today.

When we find Peter in John 21, it has not been that long since he publicly denied knowing Jesus Christ (three times, see John 18). Despite the fact he had traveled with Jesus during His ministry and was one of Jesus' disciples, Peter rejected Jesus. This act of denial of Christ demonstrates Peter was concerned with acknowledging his faith and life with Christ as it might result in verbal persecution or possibly even physical harm.

Since that time, the shame and agony of rejecting Jesus must have weighed heavily on Peter's heart. Not in any way comparing my own rejection of Jesus at certain times throughout my life, I know that I have felt the shame of my self-reliance and rejection of Christ - visibly or not to those around me.

Through it all though, God knew Peter's heart - just like He knows my heart and yours.

So, as we focus in on Peter here in John 21, exhausted and discouraged from having fished all night with his fellow disciples - catching nothing, when he heard Jesus was near - he did not hesitate, Peter jumped out of the safety of the boat and swam to Jesus.

Nearness. Proximity. Intimacy. Seeking Jesus first.

Peter wants to get his life right. He knows that Jesus is Lord. Despite his humanness and mistakes, He yearns to be with Jesus, "the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:13-16, NIV).

And, Jesus demonstrates once again His abundance and boundless love through what transpires in this last chapter of the Gospel of John. Jesus asks Peter three questions. Peter's responses correspond to his triple-denial (John18:15-18,25-27). Through this short interaction, Jesus loves, forgives. restores, and reveals Himself to Peter. Peter is commissioned to follow Jesus and to care for others.

Obedience before revelation.

Prayer

May you know the boundless and unconditional love Jesus has for you - no matter what you have done in your life. Jesus knows we are human and sinful. Jesus died on the Cross for us anyway, so that we might have eternal life with Him and have our relationship with God restored.

Be encouraged to take that step of obedience - stepping out of your shame and / or the comfort of your situation, so that you might know Jesus in a transformative way and that He reveals Himself to you! Amen!