What Happens After Easter
Easter 2019 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 43:07
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· 5,651 viewsThe world quickly goes back to normal after Easter, but how should we as believers live in light of what we celebrate at Easter?
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Last week was fantastic, wasn’t it?
Last week was fantastic, wasn’t it?
The church was full of people who wanted to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
We had a tremendous meal and great time to fellowship, and then we came in here to some fantastic music to help us worship the one who died and rose for us.
God moved, and it was a great day.
Easter usually is, isn’t it? It is a special time of excitement and celebration, even for those who don’t believe in Jesus.
There are eggs to hunt, candy to eat, and pretty clothes to wear.
What happened on Monday, though? Some of you may have had a day off, but by Tuesday, life was back to normal for most of the world.
Kids were back at school, work was still work, and the Easter candy was marked down to 75% off.
You know, that happened on the first Easter too? When Jesus was crucified, all of Jerusalem knew about it.
I am sure that there was a buzz in town when they found out that the body was gone and that some were saying he had been raised from the dead.
However, like everything else sensational in our world, the buzz started to fade.
In those first few weeks after the Resurrection, the world at large continued going about their business.
In fact, even Jesus’ closest followers quickly found themselves returning back to the lives they had led.
We find that in the chapter right after where we were last week, so go ahead and open to John 21.
It had been some time since Jesus had last appeared to the disciples, and it appears that they were getting antsy.
One of the leading disciples, Peter, who had denied Jesus three times on the night of his arrest and trial, was a man of action. It didn’t suit him well to just sit around and wait. He decided to get the guys together, and they would go fishing. If Jesus wasn’t around to tell them what to do, they were just going to go back to doing what they knew best.
It’s when they thought the whole “resurrection” thing was over that Jesus meets them.
How about you? What is your life like after Easter?
Did you carry the joy of Sunday with you into your home this week and love your spouse and your kids like Jesus had been raised?
Did you do your best in your classes because you are serving a living Savior?
Did you cry out for help to fight against sin and live a God-honoring life because you knew that Jesus had defeated sin and death for you?
Does your life show that the resurrection happened and changed things, or are you going back to what you were doing, living as if nothing ever happened?
Maybe God hasn’t come through on your timetable, and you’re a little upset…so upset that you’ve decided to just go back to the way things used to be.
This morning, I want you to hear this: Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
Life is still hard, situations don’t work out in your timing, and you still fight the temptation to turn away.
As we look at the disciples and their desire to turn away this morning, I want you to acknowledge the fact that Jesus is still with you, still risen, and still the conqueror of death and sin in three ways today.
Read John 21:1-3 with me to set the stage.
This story is so relatable, because it is the same temptation we all face when God doesn’t work like we want him to.
As we watch this interaction with Christ, I want to encourage you with the way God meets us after Easter.
I want to challenge you to do what the disciples did in the story—not the turning away part, but in coming back to Christ.
First, after Easter, we must:
1) Recognize His Presence.
1) Recognize His Presence.
Pick back up with me in verses 4-8.
The first thing that Peter and the others learned that morning was that Jesus was, in fact, still around.
Think about it with me: many of these men had been professional fishermen before they started following Jesus.
It is one thing if you are fishing just to get out on the water for a few hours, but not catching a single fish all night long? That would have been frustrating.
Suddenly, a stranger from the shore yells out, “Hey boys, you don’t have any fish, do you?”
The CSB here translates this as “friends”, but literally, Jesus called them children!
Can you imagine how this stranger’s question would have gotten under the skin of these men? They were professionals; who was this guy to question them?!
Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. Remember that he had promised Jesus that he would be willing to die for him, and then hours later swore that he didn’t even know him!
Wouldn’t you feel like a failure as a disciple at that point?
Now, he has gone back to fishing, and he can’t even do that!
On top of that, he is exhausted, and some dude is standing on the shore pouring salt in the wound by asking if they have caught anything.
At first, it seems weird to us that the disciples didn’t realize they were talking to Jesus. After all, they had heard him teach for years, had traveled with him, and had already seen him after his resurrection.
Maybe the reason they didn’t know was because they weren’t looking. It is possible, though, that Jesus kept them from recognizing Him, just like He did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
That does bring up the question: When’s the last time you actually looked for the presence of God in your circumstance? When’s did you last pray for something and actually expectantly watch for Him to answer? Just like the disciples, you might miss Him if you’re not careful.
In fact, if you and I are going to keep walking in joy after Easter, we need to recognize that he is with us.
As our small groups are studying, we need him to show us where he is at work so we can join him.
Jesus goes on to tell them to let down their nets one more time.
For Peter, James, and John, this would have sounded awfully familiar – In Luke 5, we read of when Jesus called these three men under similar circumstances – they had fished all night, and that time, Peter mouthed off and told Jesus how unhappy he was with the suggestion that they let down their nets. The catch was so great that they couldn’t bring it to shore with only one boat, and he had to call James & John to come over with him.
This time, they didn’t mouth off at all – You almost wonder if they looked at each other, shrugged, and threw in the net.
As soon as they started pulling it in, John realized what was going on. He knew it was Jesus, so he told Peter. Peter, always the impetuous one, got dressed, jumped in the water, and swam for shore, leaving the other 6 guys to deal with the fish.
John and Peter recognized Jesus because he knew what Jesus is capable of. He remembered what Jesus had done in the past, and it triggered his memory when he saw it again.
So what’s our application? Be looking for things that bear the fingerprint of God…things that are similar to what you have seen him do in the past.
One great way to do this is to familiarize yourself with the people of Scripture. Go back and read some of those stories you learned in VBS and Sunday School as a child. They will make more sense now, as you see how God moved in their lives and at certain times.
Another helpful exercise is to learn the promises God has made. I have given you a list before of 41 Promises God makes to believers. One of the promises He makes is that of His continuing presence.
If today, a week after Easter, you are living as though He never rose from the dead, remember His promises. Look for signs that He is there with you, working, moving, and completing His plan in your life. Just like those disciples who knew Jesus best, you may be missing Him standing right there.
Remember, Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
However, if we are going to see our lives changed by that reality, we must recognize his presence.
Not only that, we must also…
2) Rest in His Provision
2) Rest in His Provision
Pick up in verses 9-14…
Jesus provided in multiple ways during this quick event. First, He provided a massive haul of fish – 153 large ones, as the eye-witness John recounts!
Not only that, He had breakfast waiting on them when they got to shore!
Isn’t it amazing that instead of rebuking them for going back to their old way of life, Jesus meets them where they were and meets their needs. I’m sure they didn’t need the reminder of who it was…verse 12 tells us that much.
As an aside, some speculate that the reason Peter went back to fishing was because he was concerned about providing for his family.
The concern of providing for your family is very real and valid. What was wrong about what Peter and the others were doing was that they had stopped trusting God to help them, and they went back to doing what they “knew” they could do to make money.
I have friends who have felt God leading them to step out in faith to follow him in unique ways. They have no income to speak of, yet because they are obeying God’s call to live by faith, He is meeting every need they have.
What decision has God called you to trust Him on that is potentially difficult for your family financially?
I am not talking about sending the preacher on TV the $1,000 he is asking for so you will get $10,000 back. I am not talking about making a wild, risky investment against all advice.
However, sometimes, what God calls us to do doesn’t make a ton of sense financially.
Maybe He is telling you to stop using tactics that are unethical and immoral, but not doing business that way will cut your pay.
Maybe He is telling you to switch careers so you can have more time at home with your kids.
Maybe you haven’t been giving God the first 10% of your income, and you know you need to even though things are tight as is.
Whatever it is, this story shows that He is capable of providing for you better than you could ever provide for yourself, and He will do it when you need it.
Peter and the others could have put that net down 1,000 more times may never have caught a thing.
Even if they did, John seems to indicate that the net should have broken, letting at least some go.
Jesus can provide, not only long-term, but immediate needs. They had been fishing all night long, and would have been worn out. To have a nice, hot breakfast would have been so refreshing.
Let’s look at that provision of breakfast and see what we can learn…
A) His Provision is Supernatural
A) His Provision is Supernatural
So they hadn’t noticed Jesus on shore, yet he already had a charcoal fire, some fish, and some bread.
How long did it take to get the fire going? Where did He get the fish? What about the bread?
Matthew Henry, a Biblical commentator, said this,
We need not be curious in enquiring whence this fire, and fish, and bread, came, any more than whence the meat came which the ravens brought to Elijah. He that could multiply the loaves and fishes that were could make new ones if he pleased, or turn stones into bread, or send his angels to fetch it, where he knew it was to be had.[1]
It isn’t important how the provision came; it is important that He did provide in a way that none of us ever could.
Keep in mind, I am not advocating sitting around, doing nothing, expecting God to provide. What happens here is that Jesus supernaturally meets a need that they couldn’t meet on their own. They would have had no fish to cook, no bread, and no fire.
There are times when you do everything you can to follow through, and it just isn’t enough. It is times like that where God moves supernaturally on your behalf.
I could give you example after example where God has supernaturally provided for us. God has shown Himself faithful to provide for us, and He will continue to provide for you.
B) His Provision is Enough
B) His Provision is Enough
As welcome as a hot meal was for those disciples, there is one thing to notice: it wasn’t a four-course gourmet spread.
His provision will always be enough, and it will always be good; however, it may not be exactly what you would want.
He will not always allow you to get the brand-new car; in fact, he may not provide you with a car at all! He will, however, give you the strength to walk or a friend to ride with…he will always provide.
We see this in how God provided for Elijah in 1 Kings 17:2-8, which is what Matthew Henry referred to in the quote a few minutes ago.
God had just told Elijah that He was going to send drought and famine to the land. To follow that up, God sends him to a brook to drink from. He also tells him that he will send ravens with his food. Now I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t exactly appeal to me…Ravens bringing food and all.
In time, the brook dried up – I would imagine that the water started to stagnate some and get a little muddy and nasty – That’s not exactly what I would have wanted, but it was enough.
Not only that, when it stopped being enough, God showed Elijah how He would provide for him next – through a widow.
Did they feast as kings? Absolutely not. Was it enough? Absolutely
God will always provide you with what you need. As difficult as it is to believe in lean times, He will sustain you. You may not have everything, but you will have enough.
Remember, just because Easter is over, Jesus isn’t gone.
You need to see that he is still there, still concerned, still loving, and still providing enough for you.
For us to keep living out the truth of Easter, though, we must also…
3)Return to His Purpose
3)Return to His Purpose
After refreshing everyone with a hot meal, Jesus pulls Peter aside.
This is one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture I can think of.
Read verses 15-19…
Remember, who was it who denied Jesus? Whose idea was it to go back to fishing?
Peter, like the rest of us, would have still carried the guilt and the shame for failing Jesus. He went back on a promise he had made, even to the point of correcting Jesus!
In fact, there is an interesting connection between Peter’s denial and this story. Remember how the text said that it was a charcoal fire? That word is only used twice in the entire New Testament. Want to know the other time?
Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself.
Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself. (John 18:18, CSB)
It was around a similar fire that Peter denied Jesus. Imagine how his heart may have broken as he caught the aroma of that fire, looked up, and saw the very one he denied sitting at a charcoal fire.
It was around a similar fire that Peter denied Jesus. Imagine how his heart may have broken as he caught the aroma of that fire, looked up, and saw the very one he denied sitting at a charcoal fire.
Notice, though, that it isn’t how Jesus left him. Despite Peter’s failure, Jesus knew the plan He had for Peter. It had not changed – Peter was still supposed to be a fisher of men.
Lovingly, gently, Jesus restored Peter to right relationship with Him.
Friend, have you failed Jesus this morning? Are you going back to the way you used to live because you think you are worthless to God? Maybe today, He is sitting at a charcoal fire, wanting to restore you.
What if Peter had been too embarrassed to come to Jesus for forgiveness and restoration? He would have gone back to fishing, and would never have experienced the great things God had in store for Him, and neither will you.
God has a tremendous plan for you, despite your failures and your sin. It may be that something you have done will not allow you to be used the same way you might have been able to if you hadn’t, but God still has a plan for you.
In 21:18-19, we find out that Jesus’ plan, as its final earthly act, would include Peter being executed. This man who was unwilling to die with Christ would eventually be called on to die for Him. What a plan to have!
His plans are unique to you. If you look down to verses 20-23, you have a somewhat comical story. Peter looks around and sees John, the one referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, and asks, “What about him?”
Notice Jesus’ reply, though. Jesus tells Peter essentially, “It doesn’t matter what I’m doing with him—you just worry about what I’ve told you to do”
Your walk with Christ will look drastically different than mine. You will not experience the same things I will. God may make you insanely famous and a household name, where he may use me in a way that no one ever remembers who I was.
Since God made you, He knows exactly what it will take to mold your character into the image of Christ. Because of that, His plan for you will be drastically different than His plan for me.
Rejoice in that! How boring would it be if we all came out the same way? If we all lived the same, talked the same, acted the same?
The important thing is that you are following His plan for your life. His plan will always line up with Scripture, so it’s not like you can go out and live a life of sin and call that God’s unique plan for your life!
How have you failed Him? How have you denied Christ? Just like Peter, He still has a plan for you! He still desires to use you to bring people to a saving knowledge of Him! He still wants you to encourage other Christians in their walk with Christ. He still has a purpose – get back to it!
After Easter, Peter decided to go fishing. He wanted to act as though nothing had ever happened.
What did he find when he went? He found that Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
He discovered the presence of Jesus as he and the others recognized His hand in what was going on.
He received the provision of Jesus as he ate that fish and bread breakfast.
He was restored to the purpose of Jesus as Christ lovingly restored him and outlined the plan for Peter’s life.
The candy is gone, the baskets are 75% off, but Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
Footnote:
[1]Henry, M. (1996, c1991). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (). Peabody: Hendrickson.
Last week was fantastic, wasn’t it?
The church was full of people who wanted to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
We had a tremendous meal and great time to fellowship, and then we came in here to some fantastic music to help us worship the one who died and rose for us.
God moved, and it was a great day.
Easter usually is, isn’t it? It is a special time of excitement and celebration, even for those who don’t believe in Jesus.
There are eggs to hunt, candy to eat, and pretty clothes to wear.
What happened on Monday, though? Some of you may have had a day off, but by Tuesday, life was back to normal for most of the world.
Kids were back at school, work was still work, and the Easter candy was marked down to 75% off.
You know, that happened on the first Easter too? When Jesus was crucified, all of Jerusalem knew about it.
I am sure that there was a buzz in town when they found out that the body was gone and that some were saying he had been raised from the dead.
However, like everything else sensational in our world, the buzz started to fade.
In those first few weeks after the Resurrection, the world at large continued going about their business.
In fact, even Jesus’ closest followers quickly found themselves returning back to the lives they had led.
We find that in the chapter right after where we were last week, so go ahead and open to .
It had been a some time since Jesus had last appeared to the disciples, and it appears that they were getting antsy.
One of the leading disciples, Peter, who had denied Jesus three times on the night of his arrest and trial, was a man of action. It didn’t suit him well to just sit around and wait. He decided to get the guys together, and they would go fishing. If Jesus wasn’t around to tell them what to do, they were just going to go back to doing what they knew best.
It’s when they thought the whole “resurrection” thing was over that Jesus meets them.
How about you? What is your life like after Easter?
Did you carry the joy of Sunday with you into your home this week and love your spouse and your kids like Jesus had been raised?
Did you do your best in your classes because you are serving a living Savior?
Did you cry out for help to fight against sin and live a God-honoring life because you knew that Jesus had defeated sin and death for you?
Does your life show that the resurrection happened and changed things, or are you going back to what you were doing, living as if nothing ever happened?
Maybe God hasn’t come through on your timetable, and you’re a little upset…so upset that you’ve decided to just go back to the way things used to be.
This morning, I want you to hear this: Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
Life is still hard, situations don’t work out in your timing, and you still fight the temptation to turn away.
As we look at the disciples and their desire to turn away this morning, I want you to acknowledge the fact that Jesus is still with you, still risen, and still the conqueror of death and sin in three ways today.
Read with me to set the stage.
This story is so relatable, because it is the same temptation we all face when God doesn’t work like we want him to.
As we watch this interaction with Christ, I want to encourage you with the way God meets us after Easter.
I want to challenge you to do what the disciples did in the story—not the turning away part, but in coming back to Christ.
First, after Easter, we must:
Recognize His Presence.
Pick back up with me in verses 4-8.
The first thing that Peter and the others learned that morning was that Jesus was, in fact, still around.
Think about it with me: many of these men had been professional fishermen before they started following Jesus.
It is one thing if you are fishing just to get out on the water for a few hours, but not catching a single fish all night long? That would have been frustrating.
Suddenly, a stranger from the shore yells out, “Hey boys, you don’t have any fish, do you?”
The CSB here translates this as “friends”, but literally, Jesus called them children!
Can you imagine how this stranger’s question would have gotten under the skin of these men? They were professionals; who was this guy to question them?!
Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. Remember that he had promised Jesus that he would be willing to die for him, and then hours later swore that he didn’t even know him!
Wouldn’t you feel like a failure as a disciple at that point?
Now, he has gone back to fishing, and he can’t even do that!
On top of that, he is exhausted, and some dude is standing on the shore pouring salt in the wound by asking if they have caught anything.
At first, it seems weird to us that the disciples didn’t realize they were talking to Jesus. After all, they had heard him teach for years, had traveled with him, and had already seen him after his resurrection.
Maybe the reason they didn’t know was because they weren’t looking. It is possible, though, that Jesus kept them from recognizing Him, just like He did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
That does bring up the question: When’s the last time you actually looked for the presence of God in your circumstance? When’s did you last pray for something and actually expectantly watch for Him to answer? Just like the disciples, you might miss Him if you’re not careful.
In fact, if you and I are going to keep walking in joy after Easter, we need to recognize that he is with us.
As our small groups are studying, we need him to show us where he is at work so we can join him.
Jesus goes on to tell them to let down their nets one more time.
For Peter, James, and John, this would have sounded awfully familiar – In , we read of when Jesus called these three men under similar circumstances – they had fished all night, and that time, Peter mouthed off and told Jesus how unhappy he was with the suggestion that they let down their nets. The catch was so great that they couldn’t bring it to shore with only one boat, and he had to call James & John to come over with him.
This time, they didn’t mouth off at all – You almost wonder if they looked at each other, shrugged, and threw in the net.
As soon as they started pulling it in, John realized what was going on. He knew it was Jesus, so he told Peter. Peter, always the impetuous one, got dressed, jumped in the water, and swam for shore, leaving the other 6 guys to deal with the fish.
John and Peter recognized Jesus because he knew what Jesus is capable of. He remembered what Jesus had done in the past, and it triggered his memory when he saw it again.
So what’s our application? Be looking for things that bear the fingerprint of God…things that are similar to what you have seen him do in the past.
One great way to do this is to familiarize yourself with the people of Scripture. Go back and read some of those stories you learned in VBS and Sunday School as a child. They will make more sense now, as you see how God moved in their lives and at certain times.
Another helpful exercise is to learn the promises God has made. I have given you a list before of 41 Promises God makes to believers. One of the promises He makes is that of His continuing presence.
If today, a week after Easter, you are living as though He never rose from the dead, remember His promises. Look for signs that He is there with you, working, moving, and completing His plan in your life. Just like those disciples who knew Jesus best, you may be missing Him standing right there.
Remember, Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
However, if we are going to see our lives changed by that reality, we must recognize his presence.
Not only that, we must also…
Rest in His Provision
Pick up in verses 9-14…
Jesus provided in multiple ways during this quick event. First, He provided a massive haul of fish – 153 large ones, as the eye-witness John recounts!
Not only that, He had breakfast waiting on them when they got to shore!
Isn’t it amazing that instead of rebuking them for going back to their old way of life, Jesus meets them where they were and meets their needs. I’m sure they didn’t need the reminder of who it was…verse 12 tells us that much.
As an aside, some speculate that the reason Peter went back to fishing was because he was concerned about providing for his family.
The concern of providing for your family is very real and valid. What was wrong about what Peter and the others were doing was that they had stopped trusting God to help them, and they went back to doing what they “knew” they could do to make money.
I have friends who have felt God leading them to step out in faith to follow him in unique ways. They have no income to speak of, yet because they are obeying God’s call to live by faith, He is meeting every need they have.
What decision has God called you to trust Him on that is potentially difficult for your family financially?
I am not talking about sending the preacher on TV the $1,000 he is asking for so you will get $10,000 back. I am not talking about making a wild, risky investment against all advice.
However, sometimes, what God calls us to do doesn’t make a ton of sense financially.
Maybe He is telling you to stop using tactics that are unethical and immoral, but not doing business that way will cut your pay.
Maybe He is telling you to switch careers so you can have more time at home with your kids.
Maybe you haven’t been giving God the first 10% of your income, and you know you need to even though things are tight as is.
Whatever it is, this story shows that He is capable of providing for you better than you could ever provide for yourself, and He will do it when you need it.
Peter and the others could have put that net down 1,000 more times may never have caught a thing.
Even if they did, John seems to indicate that the net should have broken, letting at least some go.
Jesus can provide, not only long-term, but immediate needs. They had been fishing all night long, and would have been worn out. To have a nice, hot breakfast would have been so refreshing.
Let’s look at that provision of breakfast and see what we can learn…
His Provision is Supernatural
So they hadn’t noticed Jesus on shore, yet he already had a charcoal fire, some fish, and some bread.
How long did it take to get the fire going? Where did He get the fish? What about the bread?
Matthew Henry, a Biblical commentator, said this,
We need not be curious in enquiring whence this fire, and fish, and bread, came, any more than whence the meat came which the ravens brought to Elijah. He that could multiply the loaves and fishes that were could make new ones if he pleased, or turn stones into bread, or send his angels to fetch it, where he knew it was to be had.[1]
It isn’t important how the provision came; it is important that He did provide in a way that none of us ever could.
Keep in mind, I am not advocating sitting around, doing nothing, expecting God to provide. What happens here is that Jesus supernaturally meets a need that they couldn’t meet on their own. They would have had no fish to cook, no bread, and no fire.
There are times when you do everything you can to follow through, and it just isn’t enough. It is times like that where God moves supernaturally on your behalf.
I could give you example after example where God has supernaturally provided for us. God has shown Himself faithful to provide for us, and He will continue to provide for you.
His Provision is Enough
As welcome as a hot meal was for those disciples, there is one thing to notice: it wasn’t a four-course gourmet spread.
His provision will always be enough, and it will always be good; however, it may not be exactly what you would want.
He will not always allow you to get the brand-new car; in fact, he may not provide you with a car at all! He will, however, give you the strength to walk or a friend to ride with…he will always provide.
We see this in how God provided for Elijah in , which is what Matthew Henry referred to in the quote a few minutes ago.
God had just told Elijah that He was going to send drought and famine to the land. To follow that up, God sends him to a brook to drink from. He also tells him that he will send ravens with his food. Now I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t exactly appeal to me…Ravens bringing food and all.
In time, the brook dried up – I would imagine that the water started to stagnate some and get a little muddy and nasty – That’s not exactly what I would have wanted, but it was enough.
Not only that, when it stopped being enough, God showed Elijah how He would provide for him next – through a widow.
Did they feast as kings? Absolutely not. Was it enough? Absolutely
God will always provide you with what you need. As difficult as it is to believe in lean times, He will sustain you. You may not have everything, but you will have enough.
Remember, just because Easter is over, Jesus isn’t gone.
You need to see that he is still there, still concerned, still loving, and still providing enough for you.
For us to keep living out the truth of Easter, though, we must also…
Return to His Purpose
After refreshing everyone with a hot meal, Jesus pulls Peter aside.
This is one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture I can think of.
Read verses 15-19…
Remember, who was it who denied Jesus? Whose idea was it to go back to fishing?
Peter, like the rest of us, would have still carried the guilt and the shame for failing Jesus. He went back on a promise he had made, even to the point of correcting Jesus!
In fact, there is an interesting connection between Peter’s denial and this story. Remember how the text said that it was a charcoal fire? That word is only used twice in the entire New Testament. Want to know the other time?
Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself. (, CSB)
It was around a similar fire that Peter denied Jesus. Imagine how his heart may have broken as he caught the aroma of that fire, looked up, and saw the very one he denied sitting at a charcoal fire.
Notice, though, that it isn’t how Jesus left him. Despite Peter’s failure, Jesus knew the plan He had for Peter. It had not changed – Peter was still supposed to be a fisher of men.
Lovingly, gently, Jesus restored Peter to right relationship with Him.
Friend, have you failed Jesus this morning? Are you going back to the way you used to live because you think you are worthless to God? Maybe today, He is sitting at a charcoal fire, wanting to restore you.
What if Peter had been too embarrassed to come to Jesus for forgiveness and restoration? He would have gone back to fishing, and would never have experienced the great things God had in store for Him, and neither will you.
God has a tremendous plan for you, despite your failures and your sin. It may be that something you have done will not allow you to be used the same way you might have been able to if you hadn’t, but God still has a plan for you.
In 21:18-19, we find out that Jesus’ plan, as its final earthly act, would include Peter being executed. This man who was unwilling to die with Christ would eventually be called on to die for Him. What a plan to have!
His plans are unique to you. If you look down to verses 20-23, you have a somewhat comical story. Peter looks around and sees John, the one referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, and asks, “What about him?”
Notice Jesus’ reply, though. Jesus tells Peter essentially, “It doesn’t matter what I’m doing with him—you just worry about what I’ve told you to do”
Your walk with Christ will look drastically different than mine. You will not experience the same things I will. God may make you insanely famous and a household name, where he may use me in a way that no one ever remembers who I was.
Since God made you, He knows exactly what it will take to mold your character into the image of Christ. Because of that, His plan for you will be drastically different than His plan for me.
Rejoice in that! How boring would it be if we all came out the same way? If we all lived the same, talked the same, acted the same?
The important thing is that you are following His plan for your life. His plan will always line up with Scripture, so it’s not like you can go out and live a life of sin and call that God’s unique plan for your life!
How have you failed Him? How have you denied Christ? Just like Peter, He still has a plan for you! He still desires to use you to bring people to a saving knowledge of Him! He still wants you to encourage other Christians in their walk with Christ. He still has a purpose – get back to it!
After Easter, Peter decided to go fishing. He wanted to act as though nothing had ever happened.
What did he find when he went? He found that Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
He discovered the presence of Jesus as he and the others recognized His hand in what was going on.
He received the provision of Jesus as he ate that fish and bread breakfast.
He was restored to the purpose of Jesus as Christ lovingly restored him and outlined the plan for Peter’s life.
The candy is gone, the baskets are 75% off, but Jesus isn’t gone because Easter is over.
[1]Henry, M. (1996, c1991). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (). Peabody: Hendrickson.