It constantly amazes me how the testimony of Scripture so far surpasses our carnal human deciphering of God and His ways! As men, we naturally want others to pay for their crimes; we tend to lack real mercy.. But as God, Jesus never really displayed this attitude. Are you surprised?
One such instance in which His precious heart is exposed and displayed is found in John 21, regarding Peter in the midst of sin and shortcoming..
Simon Peter had just failed miserably! He denied the Lord three times, watched Him die miserably, and suddenly is now found returning to his former carnal life: "Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing" (Jn 21:3). What a gloomy scenario for one who recently "forsook all, and followed" Jesus (Lk 5:11). He was so backslidden in fact, that he didn't even recognize His Lord when He visibly appeared (Jn 21:4). Peter once boasted about his devotion to Jesus (Matt 26:33), so I can only imagine the guilt now running through his veins! Jesus further reveals the scope of Peter's lack when He asks him, "Children, have ye any meat?" (Jn 21:5). The dismal and depressing answer is "no".. whatever spiritual meat that Peter once possessed has now been overgrown with the thorns of defeat and condemnation! These sad words of Peter's mouth exposed him for his real state! Have we ever been in his shoes?
Suddenly, Jesus made Himself known: "He [Jesus] said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find [fish]. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord" (Jn 21:6-7). What a dreadful condemnation Peter immediately felt as is clear from his abrupt subsequent actions: "Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea" (Jn 21:7). No doubt Peter wanted to hide to avoid utter humiliation, both naturally and spiritually.
But friends, how unnecessary were Peter's premature actions? Peter was expecting a much-deserved reproach, but what were the actual words of our Lord? "Come and dine"! (Jn 21:12). Friends, what a wonder! What any mere natural lord would use as an opportunity for rebuke, the Lord Jesus uses to win the hearts of men! His judgment is always "unto truth" (Isa 42:3): "He cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth" (Ps 96:13). What a wonder He is that He would cherish us toward change! He is pleading our cause (Mic 7:9)! In the midst of agonizing defeat, sin and heartache, the pure counsel of Jesus is to simply "come and dine": Come, eat freely of the bread of life, and the sweet wine of His Spirit (Jn 21:9-10).. Though our natural response is to flee, and jump into the sea, God would have us to come and feast on the bounties of divine mercy! Come and leave your troubles in the wake of shed blood! When sin has utterly captured our affections, King Jesus lays out a banquet, and mere sin pales in comparison. What any mere natural man would use as opportunity for harsh judgment, the counsel and cure of our Lord was "come and dine"! Truly, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds" (Ps 147:3). Aren't you grateful that we serve a God like that? He will never break a bruised reed, nor quench a smoking wick (Isa 42:3).
Dear reader, our evil affairs can quickly take a happy turn.. just simply come in, and dine with the Chef! "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house" (Ps 36:8).
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