"SIMON PETER, ME, AND OTHERS WHO NEED A MULLIGAN"

Peter and several other disciples had decided to go back to the work they knew best: fishing for fish, and they did so through the night. It had been a tough night and come morning, their nets were empty. They were close to shore, when a man shouted out, “Cast your nets on the right side of the boat!” So, they cast their nets on the right side, and caught as many fish as their nets would hold. But just then, John recognized that the man on the shore was Jesus. "It’s the Lord," he cried, and Peter (always prone to action) jumped into the water and made his way to shore. The others brought the boats in. and Jesus invited them to join him for breakfast around a charcoal fire that he had already started.

They shared a meal together. They broke bread with a man whom they loved, but the gathering was not about food or fellowship. When they finished their breakfast, Jesus got to the point of it all. “Simon,” he said, “Do you love me more than these?” He called him Simon again, as he had done in the beginning- before he renamed him Peter "The Rock"- and asked him, "Do you love me more than these"- this food, these friends, your occupation, your family, and life itself? 

Do you love me more than these? This is one of the Bible’s great questions and Peter’s thoughts must have wandered to another charcoal fire, in Caiaphas’ courtyard, when he denied being a follower of Jesus, or even just “knowing” him. In that moment, in that place, Peter was not a rock. He was simply Simon bar Jonah and he didn't want to die. It is as simple as that. He loved living. He loved his family, his work, his friends, and his life. He loved them more than he loved Jesus... so he said, I have nothing to do with this man!

“Simon, do you love me more than these?” “Yes,” he replied, “You know that I love you.” Then feed my lambs, Jesus noted, because caring for the little ones is what people who love me do. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He asked again, and again, Peter replied, “You know that I love you.” Then tend my sheep, Jesus noted, because caring for those who trust in me, is what people who love me do. Finally, Jesus hurt Peter’s feelings by asking Peter if he loved him for a 3^rd time. “Lord,” Peter said, “You know everything. You know that I love you.” 

It wasn't a long conversation. It wasn't abstract, subtle, or academic. It was direct and to the point. It was a prelude to what followed... because after reminding Peter of the cost of discipleship, Jesus said the words that he said in the beginning of their relationship- FOLLOW ME. If you love me more than these, follow me! If you are willing to go wherever I lead you, follow me! Then the big fisherman got to his feet and followed Jesus. It was the last call the Rock would ever need and it’s a passage that says this to me:

1 Failure is only a moment in time and it does not define us. It is a troubling moment along the way, but it is not our destiny. This is good news because we fail over and over again, which brings me to my second thought;

2. We’ve all had moments like Peter had. We’ve all let someone who counted on us, down. We’ve all had moments when we’ve let our "best self" down. We've all had moments when we’ve let our fears and self-interests keep us from doing what we knew to be right. When I was under the supervision of our Presbytery's Committee on Ministry many years ago, the chair of that committee said, "If you become a minister, you will be a good one." I've never forgotten her words and, what is more, I think they're true. I have been a good minister... but I remember several times when, for reasons that were not good enough, I didn’t give enough of myself to someone who needed me as pastor or friend. I let them down. I let my calling down and even the one who called me. I’ve had my share of “Peter moments”…and it brings to tears to my heart when I think that Jesus gave Peter (and me) a “do-over.” This brings me to my final thought:

3. We have a God who never gives up on us. Praise God! We have a Lord who is always inviting us to love him. We have a savior who keeps knocking at the door. It blows my mind when I think of a God who never gives up on me, even when I stumble and flat out, let Him down. Christ never gives up on us, but he never quits calling us either. He’s always calling us to follow him. He’s always calling us to discover the fullness of life in service to him. 

As Frederick Buechner put it, "From fisher of fish to fisher of people to keeper of the keys to shepherd. It was the Rock's final promotion, and from that day forward he never let the head office down again.” No, he didn't, but this is story about God’s grace and steadfast love. It’s a story that's not just for Peter. It’s for you and me and for those who don’t feel good enough to do God's work, or that they’ve let God down, or that they missed their chance. It's also for those who have simply come to believe that they really do love Jesus more than anything else in their world. Amen!