Second Chances
September 20, 2010
Dear Friends,
Everyone has experienced moments like the Apostle Peter where we lack faith and begin to sink. Ours might not be literal sinking in the Sea of Galilee as his was, but metaphorically as we lose faith in the tempest of life. We take our eyes off of Jesus just for a moment and, like Peter, focus on the wind and waves of life crashing all around us and we fail. It might be a failure to overcome temptation. It may be a failure to live our lives victoriously while becoming mired in fear, worry or despair. The wonderful thing is that most of the time we get a second chance.
Peter was a man of second chances. He had a second chance after his denials of Christ to confess him. He had a second chance after his many failures to humble himself in service to his brethren. We would suggest that he had a victorious second chance on his failure on the sea of Galilee as well.
We are told in John 21 that Peter and the other disciples are fishing on the Sea of Galilee a little less than 100 meters off shore following the crucifixion of Jesus. They had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. It was then that the resurrected Jesus shows up on shore and calls to them using the term “friends” that he told them he would use. Jesus says “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” Following the man’s instructions to cast the net on the right side of the boat, they haul in catch so large that they cannot maneuver the fish into the boat. Upon seeing this miraculous catch, Peter recognizes their shore-bound fishing guide as none other than their risen Lord.
It is what happens next that I would like you to consider in a new light. Here is what the King James version says happened next.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.The word “cast” is the Greek word ballo. It means “to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls.” We get a vision of Peter just hurling himself toward Jesus. This is an act with strong purpose behind it and little deliberation. He is compelled by his love of and faith in Jesus to rush to his side.
The word “into” is the Greek word eis. This word is legitimately translated “into” but can equally legitimately be translated “onto.” Of the two, I lean toward the latter. What I think that this passage is telling us is that Peter, so excited at seeing his risen master and so focused on reaching him, hurls himself onto the water and runs to Jesus on the water. Getting his second chance, Peter takes full advantage with nothing but his Master in his vision.
Peter was probably not completely naked. This Greek word here translated as naked often means that the person only has on a tunic. It is doubtful that Peter, even 100 meters off shore, would be completely naked while working. This being the case, it is odd that if he intended to swim to Jesus, he would put on his heavy and cumbersome fishing coat. This would not only make swimming very difficult, but would delay his coming to his Lord. If, on the other hand, he was going to run to Jesus, carrying his coat made sense.
Assuming that Peter did run to Jesus on the water, what a wonderful exhortation. It teaches us that when we have failed, we can make the most of a second chance. Just because we failed once, doesn’t mean that we are destined to repeat it. It also teaches us that if we focus on Jesus, we can do the impossible. Jesus tells us “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:24) Finally, we see that we don’t have to live a life of fear, despair or worry. We too can look to Jesus who will give us peace in a crazy world.
The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found those dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. (Vincent van Gogh)
Have a great week,
We would like to thank and acknowledge Bro. Steve Davis for providing us with the insight into John 21 that has been the basis for this TFTW.
Comments»
Dear Bro. Kyle,
In your understanding of the Bible, did only the apostle Peter have this ability to run (walk) on the water at the time of John 21, or did all of the 11 living apostles have this ability? Also, how did each person with the ability to run (walk) on the water acquire the ability to do so?
Bro. Randy,
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I am unable to answer your questions as the Scriptures are silent on everyone but Peter walking on the water. Peter was unable to walk on the water for very long because of a lack of faith. We know this because he was told by Jesus ” O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” So, by simple deduction, we can conclude that Peter was able to walk on the water by faith. If anyone else was able to do so, it would be on that same basis, I suspect, but we aren’t told anything in that regard.
However, I think we need to focus on what the real point of these accounts are. In neither account is Jesus nor the Gospel writers making the exhortation to literally walk on water. If this were the point of the account of Jesus and Peter walking on the water, we would do well to ask questions like the ones you asked because we too might be expected by the Lord to literally walk on water. I think everyone would agree that neither God nor Jesus have that expectation of us. I also do not believe it was expected of the eleven either.
They do, on the other hand, expect us to look to Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith — in faith while the storms of this mortal life swirl around us. In this faith, we are told we can “remove mountains” and “do all things.” Again, I don’t take either of those sayings literally, but as a metaphor for the powerful and miraculous things that a life of faith can produce. Probably the most tangible expectation and extraordinary “miracle” we are expected to produce as a result of our faith is the fruit of the Spirit. To produce “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” in this present age of turmoil, strife and wickedness is, in my opinion, as impressive as literally walking on water. I pray that it is not as rare.