DEVOTION FOR SATURDAY AFTER EASTER, 26 April 2025 Anno domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” Gospel of St John 21:15
The momentous events surrounding the days following the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ teach us powerful lessons, not only about others around us, but of our own hearts and souls.
Today’s lectionary text is centered on Peter in his first calling and future role. Peter was called at the shores of Galilee as he was casting his net as a fisherman. We see from Matthew 4:18 “18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
I believe it remarkable that Peter and Andrew followed immediately without question in leaving their nets behind. This demonstrates the foreknowledge of Christ in calling those whom He elects to follow. It also represents the over-whelming and invincible force which the call of Christ has on the sinner of His choosing.
In an often misconstrued text, we read, when Peter recognizes Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God:: “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:17-19
In no sense of the meaning was Christ saying that Peter would be the foundation of His Church, but it was Peter’s faith in Christ that would become that foundation – and that foundation Rock was Christ Himself.
Then, we see Peter denying Christ three times in the outer courtyard of the High Priest when Christ turned and looked Peter in the eyes (Luke 22:61). He was devasted and went out and wept bitterly. He doubtlessly wept bitterly for those three days following. The angel at the garden Tomb had told the women to go and tell the disciples, and Peter, of the Lord’s resurrection. Peter was specifically designated because the Lord knew of his distress and sorrow (see Mark 16:7). The Angel also told said that Christ would go before the disciples to Galilee. Apparently, the testimony of the women fell on deaf ears for Peter later tells the disciples that he is going fishing (at Sea of Galilee). He does not mention any purpose in meeting the resurrected Lord there. Later, he was surprised to see Jesus walking on the shores of Galilee after he and others had fished all night without success. When Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side, they caught such an abundance that the boat could hardly haul them. Then, Pewter knew it was Christ who had commanded him.
This brings us to subject of our lectionary text for today (John 21:15-17): “Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these “He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
Jesus had called Peter at first to become fishers of men. Now, He tells Peter to feed His sheep. The third time of asking Peter grieved him to the bone for he then remembered denying Christ three times. Peter has been transformed from a fisherman to a shepherd for the Good Shepherd. Furthermore, the question goes unanswered, “, lovest thou me more than these?” Peter obviously did not follow the counsel of Christ both before the crucifixion, and after by word of the Angel, to meet Him at Galilee. Peter was surprised to see Jesus after seemingly retiring to his old lifestyle as a fisherman. But Peter never again returned to his old vocation. From that point forward, his only thought and work was in serving the Lord and preaching the Gospel of Christ.
Maybe we should all abandon every habit of our previous life and be transformed into shepherds for Christ.
God bless you all and, until next time, God keep you in perfect peace.
