Then you know exactly how Peter feels in this chapter.

Today's Reading ~ John 21

I love John 21 because, in a way, it is every Christian’s story who has blown it a time or two. Peter was a true failure! He denied the Lord three times when Jesus most needed him - at the trial before his crucifixion. In fact, just after one servant girl asked Peter if he knew Jesus and he vehemently denies Him, Peter looked up and saw Jesus staring right at him. Peter - was - crushed.

At the time of Jesus’ resurrection, Peter is overjoyed, but at some point reality set in. Peter must have wondered how Jesus could ever forgive him, and decides to returns to his former life as a fisherman - back to his old life, old relationships, old ways. This is probably as low as Peter can go.

Have you ever been there? Wondering if God could ever use what little you have to offer since you've messed up even in the little things.

This is exactly why I love Peter and the story John shares with us in John 21.

 Jesus comes to Peter, meets him right where he is, and the process of forgiveness is beautiful. First, Jesus reminds Peter and the other disciples of who He is, for after fishing all night, and catching nothing, Jesus tells them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. The results were a staggering 153 fish in one cast.

Second, Jesus reminds Peter and the other disciples of His call upon their lives. If you remember, it was exactly the same sort of fish catching event that led the disciples to follow Jesus in the first place (Luke 5:1-11). Jesus was reminding Peter that he was called to be a fisher of men, not just a fisherman.

Finally, Jesus restores the relationship with Peter through forgiveness. Did you notice that Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” three times? At first you may think that Jesus is being cruel, but here is a perfect spot to use a Greek concordance to better understand the passage, for the Greek language has more than one word for love:
Here’s how the conversation went down: