New Day, New Year, and New Beginnings - 31 Days of Fresh StartsSample

A Lesson from Peter...

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
John 21:15

We all get a kick out of Peter’s stumbling, bumbling ways as we read the gospel accounts, right? Perhaps we see more of ourselves in him than we care to acknowledge! Nevertheless, as we look for and seek new avenues of moving forward in our own lives, we find great comfort that even Peter could be transformed. An old wineskin made new. We can be new, too.

In this post-resurrection scene from our opening passage, we find Peter leading a portion of the disciples on an unfruitful fishing expedition. A lone man appears on the shore, calling to them. Not yet recognizing it’s the risen Messiah who is encouraging them—they hear Him tell them to cast their net on the right side of their boat. Now, they know. Now, they remember. They have heard this directive before from the Master (Luke 5:1-10). A huge haul of fish nearly breaks their net as they drag it to shore.

An entire chapter in the Gospel of John is devoted to this vivid account.

Jesus. King Jesus. Well, He makes breakfast for His chosen. And here, in His conversation with Peter, we see forgiveness and redemption firsthand. For Peter, who had denied his beloved Jesus three times—Jesus directly addressed him three times. The King gives Peter his assignment: to feed and tend the tender body of Christ—His church. Yes, Peter will suffer for doing so, but it will become his sole pleasure, anything to glorify the King.

Much has been said and written about this encounter. Still, for our purposes, our receiving by faith that we are absolutely forgiven—past, present, and future—is the platform we stand on to launch into all things new. And that we must forgive ourselves as well. Just as Peter most certainly had to do. We become new when we stand on the clean slate of all Jesus has done.