Peter: What Can We Learn From Peter's Life?Sample

"Do You Have Any Fish?"

By this time, Peter and the disciples were no longer in Jerusalem where Jesus had been crucified and resurrected. They had travelled north to the region of Galilee, where Jesus’s ministry had begun and many of them were from. Jesus had appeared to the group twice, as well as to Peter, Mary Magdalene and the other women, and two men on the road to Emmaus. He had instructed the disciples to return to Galilee, and they were likely trying to figure out what it meant to live in a post-resurrection world. Was life going to be the same? Would their ministry be the same? What were Jesus’s plans?

In the midst of the waiting, Peter decided to go fishing. This opened an opportunity for Jesus to reprise the first miracle He had ever done for Peter. When He first appeared on the beach and called out to the men who had fished all night to no avail, they did not know who He was but they followed His instruction anyway. As soon as the nets were overflowing and John pointed out that it was Jesus on the shore, Peter wasted no time. It was another act-now-think-later moment for him as he abandoned his friends looking after the catch. He was so eager to have time with Jesus. Not so long ago, Peter thought Jesus was gone forever. Now that Jesus was resurrected, he didn’t want to miss an opportunity. He loved Jesus and probably had many questions for Him.

We can imagine that Jesus performed this miracle with a little smile on His face, thinking of the significance of the first time He did it. The first time led to Peter’s calling as His disciple and a fisher of men. This time would lead to another important moment in Peter’s life as his calling for the future was confirmed.

Reflection:

What would it have been like to share that campfire breakfast with Jesus and the disciples?

Have you ever been as eager as Peter was to spend time with Jesus?