«After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him» (John 21:15).
Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John and other disciples were on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. So many memories rushed through their minds! Jesus, who a short time ago had been alive, walking and working them, had died and resurrected.
Somehow they had gone back to being anonymous and sedentary, and they had Jesus’s teachings with them, they were a bit confused.
Why is it that we go back to the usual places when things have changed forever?
We don’t know for sure how Peter felt about everything that had taken place, how he was dealing with his denial and other events. Maybe the years that had passed seemed like a huge blur. Would the sea bring him some comfort? He didn’t know. The truth is they needed to make money for food and new clothes. So they went fishing in that lake full of miraculous experiences with their best friend.
Once more, they didn’t catch anything. Once more, Jesus told them to fish. Once more, their catch was abundant and miraculous. It seemed like de javu, but it wasn’t. Now they knew the One who gave the command.
Peter had denied Him three times and Jesus gave him three chances to confirm his love for Him, to confirm his forgiveness, his new opportunity and above all his mission, which didn’t have anything to do with nets in the sea, but with fishing men.
The fact Jesus had died didn’t go away with the command he had given them with in the beginning. He had called them to a bigger purpose and that was still valid, more than ever… especially for Peter. «Though they were to be deprived of His personal companionship, and of the means of support by their former employment, the risen Saviour would still have a care for them. While they were doing His work, He would provide for their needs» (The Desire of Ages, ch. 85, 810). That promise is also given to us today.
Thousands of years later, at the start of a new day, Jesus wants to have an encounter with us like He did that morning on the sand, an encounter in which we will reaffirm our love for Him, no matter what has happened.
That day, Peter went fishing and remembered his true mission. Today Jesus also asks you, «Do you love me?» How will you prove it?