Before and after He rose, Jesus told the disciples to go to Galilee where they would see Him again (Mark 14:28; 16:7). In John 21, while waiting there, one night Peter gets the bug to go fishing, and his buddies also like the idea. They must have been discouraged and exhausted when the fish weren’t biting. But at sunrise they receive some advice from a stranger on the shore, and the catch is so enormous that John realizes it’s no stranger—“it is the Lord!” (v 1-7a). Without hesitation, Peter does a huge cannonball off the bow of the ship and swims as fast as he can to reach the shore. Though he has every reason to shrink back in shame after his triple denial of the Lord, Peter knows he has nothing to fear. He might have flinched to see another “charcoal fire” (18:18, 25), but this time the fire is tended by Jesus, who’s ready to serve up a hot breakfast for him and his friends. The fried fish and toasted bread must have tasted awesome, but the meal would not be as memorable as the conversation (v 7b-14). Three times Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” For each of his failures, Peter is given a new opportunity to affirm his affection for Jesus. Each time he hears the question, Peter’s heart skips a beat and his stomach churns. Just a few days earlier, among the disciples, he had boasted of his superior commitment (13:36-37). So Jesus begins by asking, “Do you love me more than these?” Each time, Peter responds humbly, showing not a trace of self-righteousness. All comparisons are gone; he’s under no illusions. Peter has learned that he can’t follow Jesus in his own strength; it is only by grace that he will stand. And by God’s grace, Peter is not only forgiven of his sin, he is re-commissioned for service! “Feed my lambs,” Jesus says, for He purchased the flock with His own blood, and He wants them to be well-nourished (v 15-17). Pastor Peter was encouraged to know he would soon be teaching God’s Word and caring for His flock. But it must have shocked him to hear that he would one day lose his freedom and make good on his offer to lay down his life for the Lord (13:37). Just like his Master, Peter will glorify God by stretching out his hands to die on a cross. For three decades he would live with this prediction hanging over his head. But if Peter was wondering, “Why me?” he was also asking, “Lord, what about my friend? If the cost of my discipleship will be so extreme, what will happen to John?” Jesus basically says, “Mind your own business, Peter. If John outlives you—even if he lives until I come again—that’s not your concern. Your job is to follow Me and do what I require of you.” So also for you and me: let us keep our eyes on Jesus and run the race He has marked out for us (v 18-25). For further meditation: