The Beautiful Letdown

 

We've all been there.

The experience of letting someone down that is so near and dear to us is something many of us live with to our dying day. The regret, the shame, the hurt that is felt inside sticks with a person worse than peanut butter sticks to bread. Many times the letdown came in the most unintentional way. The person to blame is often seeing to do something they thought was good or even outstanding. But, what was accomplished winds up bringing consequences that even the best of friends can't bear or shoulder up. 

We've been looking at people who had personal interections with Jesus following his resurrection. Today we are walking into a touchy situation. Every circle will have people closer to each other and some who are more of "associates". How close were the Twelve as a whole? There was the twelve and then there was an inner three with Jesus, John, James and Peter, it seems, were somewhat closer with the Savior than the rest. Then, quite clearly from the Scriptures we can see a whole other closeness between simply Jesus and Peter, altogether. These two seem to have an integral speaking to one another and interacting that cuts right to the very soul. Peter isn't afraid to speak his mind with Jesus and, likewise, Jesus says what only Peter could bear to hear. Sometimes we are blessed to have a friend in our lives that can share with us on such an intimate level and give us just what we need or take the brunt of our rough interior and keep going with us down the road of life. It is just such a relationship we find between Jesus and Peter. 

It starts with a fishing expedition. Jesus has been teaching. He has aksed if he could use Peter's fishing boat as a platform or podium in which to engage with the people. Peter grants the request and they push out from shore just a bit. Cleanng their nets, Peter and his crew listen. Jesus finishes up what he has to say and turns to Peter again. "Put out into deep water and let your nets down for a catch." It's funny how we interpret what we see with our eyes or read with our mind or even hear with our ears. It is said that we can't really decipher true emotion just by reading a text on your phone or scripture off of a page. Is Jesus making a simle request or are the words more of a challenge? Peter is the fisherman here. He does this for a living. He ought to know that this is not a prime moment to fish. "We have been out all night and haven't caught anything. But, because you say so, I will let down the nets." Is there annoyance in Peter's response? Or is there laughter? "He thinks we are going to catch something. Man, is this going to be a waste of time!" I'm giving this Savior/Rabbi guy a chance here. I like what he preaches. It sounds good. But, I'm not sure he knows anything about fishing. This relationship is off to a great start! The account from Luke chap 5 reads...

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Peter's response has nothing to do with fish. Why would Jesus choose this fisherman as a follower for himself? I believe it is because Jesus sees the best and the possibilities in all of us. In Peter, he knows that this normal everyday fisherman sees beyond the fish. A normal everyday guy would simply look at the fish and go, "Wow! That's a lot of fish!" Peter looks at Jesus and immediately bids him to go away. Something mighty is at work here and he is not worthy to be in the midst of it. I think of Isaiah at the Temple, seeing the presence of the Lord, wanting to speak and knowing he is not worthy. The coal touches his kips so he can speak. Jesus extends an offer to Peter. "Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

After three and a half years of listening to his questions and bold statements and even orders that he will not die, if Peter has anything to say about it, we come back to the shore again. A near immediately parallel plan is in place. It is after the resurrection. If Jesus has appeared all these times and the whole group of disciples was there, then Peter was there also. And, we have yet to see or hear any discourse between the two. Until now. 

The same stage is set as before. A huge catch of fish. Only this time, Peter doesn't beg Jesus to go away. He sits. He listens. He knows somehow, after all this time, that he doesn't know everything like he thought he did. He doesn't have any bold things to blurt out there. He simply wants to be close. ANd Jesus comes close too. And, the best is yet to come. 

Have you ever let a friend down? Your best friend?
Was it easy to just brush it aside? Was it easy to simply say, "Hey it's was no big deal."
Or, maybe it was soul crushing. Maybe it was heavy and large and it loomed over your relationship like everlasting omen. Jesus comes back to this one. This one who will accomplish much for the Kingdom and for the sake of the Gospel. And it has nothing to do with that. He comes as a friend. Not as a master or lord over him. He holds no ominous tiding over his head to remind him of something horrible he had done. Jesus simply offers purpose and the knowing that Peter means something to him. Peter maybe is thinking all is lost. Maybe there is nothing left for him. With each feed my sheep, Peter's feet are wiped clean again. A sign that forgiveness is always on the table when it comes to dealing with our Lord and Savior.

The let down should have been, "You're not good enough." or "Maybe you need some more time studying or focusing on prayer..." Nope. This is a beautiful letdown. One full of restoration and help. Just like Jesus.