Message From Pastor Peggy

John 21:1-19; Genesis 3:1-7,21
I am not a swimmer. I don’t know how to swim. I don’t do water. So I certainly don’t claim to be any expert on the art of jumping into water and swimming – but what I read in this text seems bizarre even to me. 
Peter is in his fishing boat with his buddies but they don’t have any luck catching fish. That is, not until Jesus shows up the next morning. He stands on the shore and calls out to them, “Children, you haven’t caught any fish, have you?” (This is a more literal translation of the original Greek). Jesus then instructs them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat and the little boys in the boat must have a déjà vu moment, taking them back to the first time Jesus gives them such instructions, with again the same results – a net so full of fish they must have been left with their jaws dropped in awe (Luke 5:1-11, John 21:6).
It seems that it is only then that someone clues in, or is willing to admit, that it is Jesus who is calling them from the shore (John 21:7). And then it happens. Peter wraps his outer garment around himself, for he was naked, and casts himself into the water. (Again – this is the more literal Greek translation!) 
This is what I don’t get. You avid swimmers can correct me if I’m wrong – but when one goes swimming, doesn’t one remove their outer clothing so they aren’t bogged down when those clothes get wet? Peter is in the boat, and the Greek can either mean he had on only his underwear, or he was naked. Either way – it seems to me that this would be an ideal way to jump in the water and swim to Jesus. But no! Peter takes the time to put on his outer garment before he throws himself into the water! Why would a fisherman do that? He’s with the guys. A few minutes earlier it was okay to sit in the boat either in his gotchies, or in the buff, but now that he is about to jump in the water he needs to put on his outer garments? I was thinking that that doesn’t make sense and so I ask, Why would Peter do that? 
This might be a stretch, but perhaps the answer to the question is found in Genesis chapter three. Adam and Eve disobey God by eating of the fruit of the one tree that is off limits and as soon as they do they realized they were naked and they sew some fig leaves together to cover their nakedness, their shame. Then God covers them with animal skins (Genesis 3:7, 21). 
Perhaps Peter can relate to Adam and Eve for he too has messed up before God. Peter promised Jesus, boasted even, that “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you” (Matthew 26:33). But not long after so confidently uttering those words, Peter denies Jesus, not once but three times and we learn that at that moment Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter (Luke 22:61). Peter denies Jesus in his very presence! And in that moment when Jesus looks straight at Peter, Peter realizes that Jesus’s words have come true and he weeps bitterly. 
So perhaps maybe, just maybe, Jesus is seeking out Peter, just as God sought out Adam and Eve in the Garden. And maybe, just maybe, just as Adam and Eve realized they were naked and had to cover their shame, Peter likewise realized that he was naked and needed to cover his shame before God. Peter dons his garments and throws himself into the water that he might get to Jesus, hoping that despite all he had done, Jesus was looking for him. Hoping that Jesus hadn’t given up on him. Trusting that Jesus had come to assure Peter that all was made right between them. And indeed, Jesus wanted Peter to know that even in light of his brokenness, his flawed character, his feeble attempts at loyalty and faithfulness, he was still worthy of God’s Love and of a place in His kingdom.
And so … Jesus broke and gave them bread to eat. And they ate fish. And then Jesus has an intimate conversation with Peter where Peter must have been metaphorically stripped of his wet, soggy, heavy clothes that were put in place to try to cover his nakedness and shame. In coming to Christ, in coming to the cross, forgiveness and grace mingled down, not merely covering Peter’s nakedness and shame with a fig leaf or an animal skin, but washing over it with Christ’s love in a way that Peter stood forgiven, cleansed, renewed, restored, his shame nailed to the cross, never to be taken down again. 
Do you agree with me that what is truly amazing is the fact that Jesus didn’t even mention Peter’s denial of Him? This is now the third time that Jesus had appeared to the disciples. Perhaps Peter and Jesus had had such a discussion on one of the prior two encounters, but if they did it was dealt with, over, not to be brought up again. Or maybe they didn’t even have that conversation. Perhaps Peter’s tears that fateful day of denial were sign enough to Jesus of Peter’s remorse and Jesus never even mentioned the incident. Regardless, being forgiven and letting go of any residual guilt and shame might be considered two different issues and Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to express and confirm his love for Jesus, and then offers Peter the way to serve out of such love. I say it again – Peter stands not only forgiven, but with his relationship with Jesus restored – his guilt, his shame, stripped of him and laid at the foot of the cross, never to be worn again. 
Peter’s story is your story. Think of a time when you have done something that you know has disappointed Jesus. When have you done something that you know doesn’t line up with God’s Word or His will for your life? When have you messed up in a way that left you running outside and weeping bitterly?  (Luke 22:61,62). When have you covered up before God when what Jesus wants of you is for you to come in all your vulnerability to stand before Him, not that you might be condemned or judged, but that you might know the joy of forgiveness and grace in light of laying those filthy, wet garments down before him. Imagine such love, such freedom. Now claim it!
It’s easy to run and hide from God when we mess up. To find the nearest fig leaf, to find something, anything to cover up with and hide. But God wants more for us. He wants us to come to Him that we might break bread with Him and be forgiven. And when we are too scared, too ashamed to come, He comes looking for us and doesn’t let go until we realize His great love for us and we profess ours for Him. And in that moment we more fully realize that Jesus came 
to comfort us when are grieving, to strengthen us when we are crushed by despair 
to give us a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes,
the oil of bliss instead of tears,
and the mantle of joyous praise
instead of the spirit of heaviness.
Because of this, we will be known as
Mighty Oaks of Righteousness,
planted by Yahweh as a living display of His glory.
Isaiah 61:2,3 The Passion, adapted
So! What are you waiting for? Jesus is looking for you! He calls you by name. Go, and experience the magnitude of His Love for you. Go! Now!