After the Resurrection: Jesus and Peter

If we’re coming to this story for the first time, it might sound a little strange. You’ve heard of throwback Thursday, well today I want to do snapback Sunday. I want to look back to understand what’s going on in today’s story. I hope that as you listen to what I’m about to tell you, today’s passage becomes clearer, and you see the light. Literally. Because there is light here for all of us.

Let’s understand a bit more of the back story of this Simon Peter, son of John. So many names, and in fact he had one other, Cephas, but that’s not important for today.

Simon Peter was a fisherman. He was one of the first to follow Jesus.

Matthew 4:18–19 NIV

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

So Peter was an early disciple. He and his brother followed Jesus and saw a great deal of miracles. They were there for the sermon on the mount, the feeding of the five thousand, the feeding of the four thousand, the sermon on the plain. Peter was also there for the transfiguration - that mountaintop moment when Jesus’s identity and glory were declared by the Father. One of my favourite Peter moments happened then.

Matthew 17:1–4 NIV

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Matthew 17:5–7 NIV

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

Peter comes across as impetuous, reactive. All four gospels tell us of his bold claim to Jesus. He’s how Mark records it:

Mark 14:29–31 NIV

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

A bold claim. And you know, I believe he really meant it.

Let’s look at what happens just a short time later. Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane. He’s being arrested. He has just told the arresting mob to spare the disciples when this happens:

John 18:10–11 NIV

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

In some ways this guy is fearless for Jesus. Misguided, and actually counter-productive, but he has shown himself willing to take physical risks for his rabbi.

But then just a few hours later, maybe even within the hour, we read on:

John 18:15–18 NIV

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

He was so bold in the face of physical danger, but so frightened of the question of the servant girl.

I get this. I’ve got a certain amount of foolish physical courage. One of my husband’s favourite stories about me is how I chased a gang of drug-taking youths out of our block with a pool cue. Not a good moment. Could have gone very wrong, and I think they mainly ran because they thought I was mad. In situations like that I’m not scared. But criticise me in public and I just melt. So I get Peter. I could imagine myself cutting off someone’s ear (I think it would take me a while), and also wilting at an embarrassing question.

And Peter does it again. Of course he does. Once you’ve lied and denied you have to double down. Just like the Lord said he would.

John 18:25–27 NIV

25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

He does it twice. A relative of ear-guy even asks him, it’s almost like the writer John is drawing our attention back to Peter’s recklessness and contrasting it with his courage now.

And the rooster began to crow.

John cuts away from Peter here, but the three other gospel writers tell us that he went outside and wept bitterly. Three tests, and he failed them all. Jesus didn’t want Peter to physically fight for him. He wanted him simply to own his allegiance.. But he didn’t. He couldn’t. Fear of man’s disapproval. Three tries. Three fails.

Imagine if it had actually ended there. Imagine if we were stuck on Good Friday forever. Imagine if the cross was the end, instead of a beginning. Imagine if Peter’s lasting memory of his friend and teacher was of denying him, and then His death.

It didn’t end there, and in part 2 we’re going to look at how the risen Jesus restores Peter, and what it means for me and for you.

From fisherman to shepherd

So we left Peter in bitter sorrow. His hot-headed bravado had failed him. Instead of holding fast and following Jesus when everyone else abandoned Him, he had denied him by that fire in the high priest’s courtyard.

But here’s another fire - this one a dawn fire. And here again, three questions for Peter. I believe that this is the restoration. There are too many links with his denial for it not to be about that.

Firstly, I want us to notice that this is a real, tangible restoration. Some might be tempted to say that the disciples had some mass hallucination of Jesus, or that He was spiritually restored to them. Spirits don’t eat barbecued fish. Hallucinations can’t give you breakfast. Once when I was fasting I hallucinated that my boss was a hamburger. The hallucination did nothing for my hunger! I don’t think we have the option of saying that the disciples were innocently confused or deceived. If we don’t believe this account of the resurrection, I think we have to say that someone is lying.

So Jesus asks Peter the same question three times, and Peter’s distress mounts. First, He asks:

John 21:15 NIV

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Why is he asking if Peter loves Him more than the rest do? Because Peter himself had reckoned he was more devoted than them.

Matthew 26:33 NIV

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

So Jesus asks Peter if he still think like that. Peter says yes, I love you, but he no longer compares his devotion to the others.

Jesus asks him again, this time with no comparison to anyone else.

John 21:16 NIV

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

And Peter’s reply is the same.

But then the third time comes:

John 21:17 NIV

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

And Peter is hurt. Why? Because he knows what’s happening here. He remembers the denial. He has another of his revelation moments:

“Lord, you know all things”.

This isn’t just someone telling their spouse “isn’t it obvious that I love you?” This is “you know all things”.

And how does Jesus ask Peter to exercise that love? Through feeding his sheep. Which if you think about it is an incredible act of restoration. Peter has denied Jesus, he abandoned him at the worst possible moment. Yet Jesus restores him not through platitudes. He doesn’t say “never mind, it didn’t bother me”. He restores him with a commission. That’s the same for all of us who have been forgiven by God through Jesus. We’re not just forgiven then sent away. We’re given a commission. What do you think your task is?

We know that Peter took this seriously. Later on in one of his letters to Christian leaders he wrote:

1 Peter 5:2 NIV

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

So many writers headline this section “the restoration of Peter”.

Some of you know what happens next. Jesus ascends to heaven, promising the Holy Spirit who will empower His followers to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. On the day called Pentecost, the Spirit comes, and there’s a public demonstration of power when the all start speaking in unfamiliar languages. There’s a mixed response...

Acts 2:13 NIV

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

And then Peter, the guy who failed by the fire, does this:

Acts 2:14 NIV

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

And he boldly addresses the crowd. His fear of man seems to have melted away.

And yet, he’s not perfect. Perhaps later today you could read Galatians 2, which covers a time when Peter gave in to pressure from others and had to be told-off by Paul.

Jesus restores him, and commissions him, but he’s not yet perfect.

The scene finishes with another prophecy from Jesus about Peter. He prophesies that Peter will die at the hands of others. And He says to him “Follow me”.

Only now can he follow.

John 13:36–38 NIV

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Something has happened between John 13 and John 21. Jesus has said that Peter won’t be able to follow Him into death, but now He says He will. I believe that the cross, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit is what has changed. Peter is still imperfect. It’s not so much that he’s learned from his mistake, as that He has been empowered by something outside of Himself to be truly brave.

So how is this relevant for us? Ay, there’s the rub.

I asked you at the start if you’ve ever let anyone down. Maybe you have. Maybe it’s too late to be forgiven by that person. That’s why some people visit mediums - to try to get some sense of closure from people who have passed. I watched an old episode of House where Dr Foreman pretends to be a dying patient’s dead husband so he can give her the forgiveness she so desperately craves.

Here’s the really controversial bit - all sin is ultimately against God. Everything we do against another human being, even down to our thoughts about them that they’re unaware of, is a slight against the creator. That’s the ground of all human rights. All humans bear the image of God, and to harm another human is to sin against God. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t seek to make things right if we can. But ultimately Jesus offers forgiveness for when we have let Him down by letting others down. If those we have harmed are dead, we don’t need a medium. We don’t need Dr Foreman. Like Peter, we can be restored by Jesus.

The reason that’s controversial is because it can sound like I’m trivialising the harm against others. But to say that all sin is ultimately against God doesn’t diminish what we do to others. It magnifies it. During lockdown we’ve seen some people violate the law. One example was a man who coughed in the face of the police. That was a crime specifically against those officers. But like many, I felt like it was a crime against me too. It was a crime against our society. A crime against our NHS workers who are risking their lives to save ours.

If you kill and eat a swan, it’s bad for the swan. But it’s also a crime against the queen. And that makes swans pretty valuable. If we sin against any person, whether or not they are aware of it, we sin against God, because people are that valuable.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had moments like Peter where I’ve suddenly seen what I’m like, and I’ve wept bitterly. And like Peter, I wasn’t left there. That wasn’t the end. Whoever you have let down, and however you have let God down, there is hope of restoration, but only through Jesus. Not some spiritual ghost-idea-man, but the living, resurrected Jesus.

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