After the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples were still adjusting to the reality of the empty tomb and the occasional appearances of the risen Christ. The trauma of the crucifixion was still fresh. For Peter, the weight of his triple denial of Jesus was a personal burden.
Despite the resurrection, Peter had not yet experienced full restoration. It is in this context, by the Sea of Galilee, that Jesus initiates a tender and powerful moment of redemption.
First, prepare the heart for restoration.
The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias, was the place where Peter first met Jesus (Luke 5). It was here that Jesus had called him to become a “fisher of men.”
After the resurrection, Peter returns to his old profession, fishing, perhaps out of uncertainty or guilt. The miraculous catch of fish parallels his earlier calling, signaling a divine reminder.
Jesus does not condemn Peter for going back to fishing. Instead, He recreates the miracle that first called Peter into ministry.
Jesus prepares breakfast, an act of love, and meets Peter’s need before addressing his failure. This sets the tone: restoration begins with grace, not guilt. Before correction comes compassion.
Let God meet you where you are. Do not run from your past; return to the place where you first encountered His grace. Restoration starts with Jesus calling us again, even in our ordinary routines.
Second, confront the wound with love.
In Jewish culture, repeating something three times signifies completeness. Peter had denied Jesus three times around a charcoal fire (John 18:18); now, Jesus restores him with three affirmations around another charcoal fire. Jesus asks, “Do you love Me?” not to shame, but to restore.
Jesus gently leads Peter to confront his failure by using love as the lens. The Greek words for love (agape and phileo) in this dialogue show Jesus accommodating Peter’s emotional state. Jesus meets Peter at the level of love Peter can offer and still calls him to serve.
What area of your life needs to be healed through a conversation with Jesus? Jesus does not reopen our wounds to condemn us; He opens them to heal us with love.
Third, embrace the call after failure.
Jesus speaks of Peter’s future martyrdom, showing that Peter will indeed follow through in his love and loyalty.
Church tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome, choosing to die differently than Christ out of humility. This prophetic call affirms Peter’s ultimate faithfulness.
Peter is not only forgiven, he is commissioned. Jesus does not merely restore Peter to friendship; He restores him to leadership. Past failure is not the end but the beginning of a powerful testimony. Jesus reaffirms the call: “Follow Me.”
Let your past be a platform, not a prison. God calls you again, not just to follow, but to lead, serve, and testify. Do not disqualify yourself because of your past. Jesus already saw your future.
Like Peter, we have denied Jesus in different ways, but He never gives up on us. Let us thank God for the restoration of our lives. | NWI
