Daily Devotions
John
John 21:1- 25 "SIMON PETER AS LEADER OF THE BAND OF DISCIPLES"
Day 357 – John 21
SIMON PETER AS LEADER OF THE BAND OF DISCIPLES
Whenever a list of Disciples was noted in the Gospels, the name of Simon Peter was always placed at the head (Matthew 10:2-4; Luke 6:14-15). In this subtle manner, Peter is quietly acknowledged as the “leader” of the band of Disciples.
Jesus related to all His Disciples differently and individually. There was John who was always described as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). There was Nathanael whom Jesus called, “… an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit” (John 1:47).
Peter was given a special name. Jesus said to him when He invited him to be His Disciple.
“You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall
be called Cephas (which is translated, A stone).”
John 1:42
Peter had his limitations, but nevertheless Jesus had told him that he would play an important role among his fellow Disciples. Just prior to His betrayal and suffering, Jesus said to Peter,
“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you,
that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for
you, that your faith should not fail, and when you
have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Luke 22:31-32
Peter had failed the Lord miserably, but so had all the other Disciples! None blamed anybody! The Disciples had not realized what they were up against! Their real enemy was none other than Satan! Peter and the Disciples had all been sifted as wheat! They were found wanting!
But failure, as far as Jesus was concerned, was not the end of the road! He anticipated Peter’s return! He would return to Jesus! And only after his return would he be able to fulfil what Jesus had entrusted to him! His brethren would need all the support they could get! The fact that not all the Disciples were there in Galilee was a painful reminder that the Disciples were not as strong as they had imagined themselves to be, when Jesus was with them! It was vital that Peter returned to Jesus soon.
The appearance of Jesus to the group of Disciples had only taken away their deep-seated fears and unbelief. However, that did not mean that Peter had fully returned to Jesus! Much more work must be done before he could say that he had returned to the Lord, and before he could strengthen his fellow Disciples!
Jesus had planned to see His Disciples in Galilee so that He could help all His Disciples further. There was so little time, and so much to be done in that little pocket of time they had. Peter was a key person in God’s plan!
THE INFLUENCE THAT PETER HAD ON HIS FELLOW DISCIPLES
How much influence did Peter have on his friends? The following text may help us to appreciate just how he affected them.
“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’
They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’
They went out and immediately got into the boat,
and that night they caught nothing.”
John 21:3
Peter announced to his friends that he was going fishing. Immediately, his friends said that they would join him! Did Peter have a lot of influence over his friends? The answer would be obvious! Yes, Peter was the natural leader. If he could be further trained and equipped he would make a tremendous leader indeed!
THE DECISION TO GO FISHING
Why did Peter tell his friends that he was going fishing? What did he mean when he announced that he was going fishing? It is unlikely that he was saying that he was going to indulge in a spot of fishing as his personal hobby.
What went through Peter’s mind as he got into the boat and let down the nets to catch fish? He had been a fisherman before he became a Disciple of Jesus. This was the Sea of Galilee. This was where he had made his living! His family lived in a nearby town!
Being at the Sea of Galilee brought back many memories. Some were painful while some were pleasant! So many thoughts must have rushed through his mind as he fished all through the night!
Where was Jesus? Did He not say that He had gone to Galilee ahead of them? Did He not say that He would meet up with them? Why hadn’t He caught up with them yet? So many questions, but so few answers, if any at all!
All through the night, the fishermen toiled! But their nets caught nothing! Had they lost their skills in just three years of being away from these fishing grounds? What lay ahead? Should he decide to return to his old trade? Here, he would never need to face or risk humiliating failure again! He had betrayed his Master, whom he loved with all his heart. His own words so bold and fair when he uttered them then hurt deeply as he thought over what he had said,
“Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison
and to death.”
Luke 22:33
Brave words indeed! Stirring words that would move hearts! Peter knew just how empty those words were now! He had betrayed Jesus! How could he return to the Lord? How could Jesus trust him again? He was a failure! He had failed as a Disciple. The empty net also mocked him. Perhaps he was a failure as a fisherman too! What was life all about when you stare at failure mocking every effort made?