THE POWER OF VISION (7)

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “FEED MY LAMBS” – John 21:15b

Simon Peter experienced radical restoration and transformation by the Word of the Lord and THE POWER of VISION: “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “FEED MY LAMBS” (Jh.21:15). The Lord repeatedly sought Peter’s attention by using imageries and picture-language that could re-focus his eyes from his greatest natural passion – Fishing! Peter was fixated on fishing. He needed a rekindled Vision!

Despite knowing that the Lord had risen from the dead, Peter still tried to galvanize the others toward his passion, “I am going fishing. They said to him, “We are going with you also” (vv. 1-3). This same Peter, the Lord had uniquely called along with Andrew his brother, at the inception of His Ministry: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt.4:19). Three years down the line, Peter’s Vision was still blurred. During the trial of his faith, Peter had denied the Lord thrice (Mt.26: 69-75). He needed a revived life, a restored relationship with the Lord, and a renewed ministry. The Solution? Peter required a rekindled Vision! Fixated on fishing, he needed to begin to see God’s Lambs!

First, the Lord showed Peter afresh that He is Lord of all, including every fish in the waters. At His instruction, Peter and his folks who had toiled all night and caught nothing, caught “multitude of fish” (vv.3-6). This haul of fish was a parable of missionary harvest that lied ahead. It was time for Peter to forget the past and move into his destined future with the Lord. Three fresh opportunities came his way to confess his love for his Lord – to cancel the three prior denials. For each of his affirmations of love for the Lord, the command came: “Feed My lambs … Tend My sheep … Feed My sheep” (vv.15-17). The Lord’s concluding remark must have reminded Peter of Matthew 4:19 – “FOLLOW ME” (v.19b). Jesus embraced Peter despite his duplicity and re-called him to the leadership role in His Church.

Peter sensitively and yet boldly led Peter to step into his pre-ordained purpose: To tenderly care for Christ’s needy lambs. The progressive revelation was for Peter to grow from being a fisher of men to shepherding God’s people. Towards the end of his ministry, Peter remained focused on this rekindled Vision: “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Pet.5: 2-4).