In the scene recorded in John 21, 7 disciples--5 of them named--follow Peter and go fishing all night when they're in Galilee. Perhaps they had exited Jerusalem out of fear; it's recorded they kept the doors locked. Perhaps they exited because they didn't know what to do next; for three years, they walked in the steps of Jesus, going where He went and their days defined by what the Rabbi did. Perhaps they were exhausted living on the spiritual edge everyday and just wanted to get back into their comfort zone--a neighborhood and profession they knew well. Perhaps they were 'running away' from 'being sent as the Father sent' Jesus.
Jesus appears on the shore after the disciples have been fishing all night and caught nothing. Though unrecognized by the disciples afloat, He suggests they've been throwing the net on the wrong side and should throw their net over the 'right side' of the boat. They catch a bunch. John recognizes Jesus. Peter gets dressed and jumps in the water to hurry to Jesus' side.
Jesus has prepared breakfast--cooked fish and bread--even before the freshly-caught fish are hauled ashore. After the meal, Jesus has a conversation with Peter...only He calls him "Simon, son of Jonah". (In Greek, so I've learned, John and Jonah look the same.) I think that "son of Jonah" is a nickname Jesus gives Simon, like the nickname "Peter" or "sons of Boanerges" for James and John. (Jesus doesn't call Andrew 'son of Jonah' so it may be unlikely that it's a family name.) Like 'sons of Boanerges' (sons of thunder), 'son of Jonah' most likely denotes that Simon Peter has characteristics similar to Jonah: running away, reluctant to love an enemy, disgusted that non-Jews could be saved, not repentant until 'hitting bottom' (3 days in the belly of a fish), not quite understanding the extent of God's love for all kinds of people.
Three times Jesus asks Simon, son of Jonah, if he loves Jesus--twice using a word that mostly means unconditional, sacrificial love. Three times Peter responds with a different word that describes friendship, affection, brotherly love. When Peter acknowledges this love, Jesus commands him to 'feed my lambs', 'shepherd my sheep', and 'feed my sheep'. The last question Jesus uses the same word for love that Peter used. Peter is grieved.
Most commentators say these triple queries was the way for Jesus to restore Peter after he denied knowing Jesus three times before the crucifixion. However, A. B. Bruce asks why Jesus waited until the third time (at least) that Jesus was with the disciples to restore Peter into good graces. Likewise, if Peter was feeling ashamed about the denials, he would more likely refrain from joining Jesus; instead, Peter enthusiastically and solely rushed to Jesus' side. He wasn't reluctant to be with Him. If I had been Peter, I would be the last one out of the boat and probably make excuses to remain apart.
I wonder if Jesus-Peter dialog, which ends with another "Follow Me", was more of an indication of Peter's reluctance to move into the next phase of apostleship.
- Stop fishing, Peter, and become a shepherd of My flock; I told you I'd teach you to become fishers of men, but now you need to feed and protect the sheep
- You might feel inadequate or incapable but push ahead
- You might not like the people to whom I'm sending you, like to the Gentiles, including a Roman centurion (or two)
- You might not like the result that those heathens will be saved
Jesus asked him three times, like the three days Jonah spent in the water. Jesus might have been saying, "Stop being like Jonah. Do what I did...but it's going to be new because I won't be around to guide you step-by-step, day-by-day. You'll need to get out of comfort zone, overcome your fear, love the people who you might think are unlovable and detestable. Even if you can't love unconditionally and sacrificially, I'll use whatever love you can muster."
