Forgiveness

As John brings his gospel to a close, he moves from the room in Jerusalem to the seashore.  Seven of the disciples respond to Peter's urge to touch base with something familiar from the past so they head out before dawn to fish.  They are so occupied with their futile efforts, they are unaware the resurrected Jesus is watching from the beach.  When He finally makes Himself known to them, they receive a fishing tip and an invitation to breakfast on the beach.

 

It is a picture of warm fellowship created by John.  But, Jesus did not just show up to cook fish for a group of hungry fishermen, but to have an important moment with Peter.  If Jesus appeared that Sunday after the resurrection with Thomas on His mind and heart, He surely appeared on the beach with Simon Peter on His mind and heart.  Somehow He managed to separate Peter from the othes.  Perhap, it was a moment when His eye caught Peter's eye and a nod of the head made Peter know he was to rise from the fire with Jesus. As they walked slowly along the edge of the water, a moment of much needed forgivenss took place.   

The conversation was not about Jesus forigiving Peter, but about Peter forgiving Peter.  He had surely borne a heavy load of guilt since the night he betrayed Jesus.  The smoke of the charcoal fire and the three fold questioning broght it back to Peter as clearly as the morning sun filling up the horizon over the water.  As Peter heard Jesus assuring Him that He still had plans for him, he knew that his past failure had not ruined the rest of his life.  He could let the guilt go.  He knew Jesus has not only forgiven him, but it was as if He did not remember or hold it against him.  As he walked that morning with Jesus, he walked into the light of a new day in his life.  No matter what is in our past, we can do the same.