I, Simon Peter | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: I, Simon Peter | Previous Challenge Entry
By Charles Salmon
02/07/07
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I, Simon Peter
based on John 21
I remember the morning we met him on the beach. We were a hundred yards offshore in the morning mist when we first saw him from the boat. From that distance, he was just a small figure of a man standing by a fire on the shore of the lake. In the stillness of the morning hour, his voice came to us clearly enough across the water. “Haven’t you caught any fish?”

We hadn’t. I wasn’t sure how he guessed it, but he had. Our hold was empty even though we had wrestled all night with the nets. We shouted back; “No.”

Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yelled across the water, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will find some fish.” What did he know?

We’d fished all night and we were weary and hungry, but had nothing to lose, so we did as he advised. Wow! What a surprise we got. It’s a wonder the net didn’t tear. As I recall, we caught 153 big fish. I could hardly believe my eyes.

In the face of such a miracle, I think we all came to the same conclusion. John voiced it first, “It’s the Lord,” he gasped. I was so excited at the prospect of seeing Him again, I grabbed my coat, put it on and jumped into the water to swim ashore. Why I donned the coat I’ll never know. It hindered my swimming and sure did nothing to keep me warm in the water. I half swam and half waded ashore. The others, showing a little more restraint, followed in the boat.

He had fish and bread cooking on the fire. He invited us to bring some of the fish we had caught and join Him for breakfast. What a wonderful conversation we eight had around the fire that morning! He seemed to be especially concerned with me. He asked me if I loved Him more than I loved the fish, the boats, and my fellow disciples. In fact, He asked me three times.

I couldn’t help recalling the events of a few nights earlier around another fire in the High Priests courtyard. I disowned Him three times. Now I tried to affirm my love for Him as emphatically as I had denied it then. He seemed to know my heart, to sense my remorse, my contrition.

He told me to feed his sheep. I knew he meant I should care for the spiritual welfare of the people who would follow Him as their Lord. When He said that, I knew He loved me, forgave me, and trusted me. He asked me to follow Him. I was overwhelmed by the sense of His love and mercy.

He once told this fisherman He would make me a fisher of men. So, I’m not found on the water any more. Look for me in the market place, the town square, and wherever people gather. I’ve gone fishing.
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