With this, that disciple whom Yeshua loved said to Kefa, “It is the Lord!” After Shimon Kefa heard that it was the Lord, he put on his fisherman’s shirt because he was stripped for work. He jumped into the lake. But the rest of the disciples floated to shore in the little boat. After all, they were not far from the land, only about 115 yards away. They were dragging the net loaded down with fish. (John 21:7-8, The Newer Testament)
A 115-yard shot is a smooth pitching wedge. It’s a distance that excites me to take dead aim.
Propelling a golf ball over 115 yards feels much easier than an open water swim. But when Peter looked at the distance separating him from his Lord, all obstacles and fear disappeared. He fixed his eyes on his goal, and then impulsively jumped into the lake and swam towards Jesus.
Why would Peter do this? He could have stayed in the boat and floated to shore with the other disciples.
We don’t know how much time had passed since Peter denied Jesus three times during Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. We do know that Peter was one of the two disciples who followed Mary to find the tomb empty on the third day (John 20:1-9).
While several of the disciples were out casting their fishing nets, Jesus appeared to them for the third time (John 21:14). Further into the story, we read that Jesus asked Peter, “Do you really love me?” three times (John 21:15-17).”
Repetition in scripture clues us to pay attention. The number three typically means complete and good, according to Hope Bolinger, who writes for Crosswalk.
I imagine Peter felt a mix of emotions each time he saw Jesus. The first time was in the upper room when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples (John 20:19-23). Did this resolve his shame for denying Jesus three times? Did he know he was forgiven?
When I make mistakes that hurt other people or don’t match my values, rumination tangles my mind, and a pit of shame twists my gut into knots. I know I am forgiven and that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1 ESV), but I want to hide from Jesus, not jump into the water and swim towards him.
Peter didn’t know what Jesus was doing on the beach, but his intuition urged him to propel himself into the water. A dripping wet Peter walked out of the water into Jesus’ plan to bring him back into a full relationship with him again.
After Jesus redeemed each of Peter’s three denials (John 21:15-19), he simply said, “Follow me.”
Are you looking across 115 yards of unknown and wondering what Jesus is doing on the other side? Has he nudged you three times? The only way to find out is to jump in and make your way to the other side. He’s ready to cook you breakfast and say, “Follow me.”
Prayer: Lord, some days you feel far away, and I need your help to move towards you. Show me your face today.