Israel.part3 - Disrupted Faith . . .

The shore of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee held significance for the three years of Jesus’ ministry life. The city of Capernaum, where Jesus would have preached more sermons and performed more miracles than any other place, sat on its northern shores. Jesus walked on its waters, subdued the stormy sea when the disciples were afraid, and often crossed it to find a place of solitude for prayer with His Father. It was from the shores of Galilee that Jesus called several of his disciples from their fishing livelihood to follow him and be “fishers of men” - one of them Simon Peter.

I stood on its shores where tradition says that Jesus called Peter a second time from his fishing endeavors. The same Peter who Jesus declared was the rock upon which he would build his church. The same Peter who invited Jesus to be a guest in his home in Capernaum. The same Peter who swore he would never disown or deny Jesus. The same Peter who tried to defend Jesus at his arrest. The same Peter while Jesus stood trial, claimed three times that he wasn’t involved with Jesus, that he never knew him. All that he thought Jesus was and all that he hoped for in Jesus was dashed in a moment. Just like that, Peter gave up on Jesus. He wasn’t who he thought he was.

But the thing that gets me most is that Jesus never gave up on Peter. Jesus calls Peter from the shores of Galilee not to reprimand him for his doubts, but to reinstate his love for him. And more than that, he still believed in this “rock” who would help to form the early church. I am always amazed at this story – the incredible unconditional love of Jesus. Peter, do you love me more than these? Do you truly love me? Do you love me? Jesus loved Peter. Now he was giving Peter a chance to renew his love and faith for him – three times to be exact.

When Jesus called Peter the first time, he didn’t fully comprehend the magnitude of Jesus’ life and death. Now the second time, Peter realizes more than ever the glory of Jesus’ life, death and now resurrection. He later writes to encourage the believers undergoing persecution during Nero’s reign, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” He remembers the upheaval brought to his faith even after he walked and talked with Jesus for three years and writes to the new believers, “though you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy . . .”

Disrupted faith . . . how often I am like Peter, doubting who Jesus really is, wondering if he is who he says he is. When my faith is shattered, thrown into disarray and confusion, Jesus calls me from the shore, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" And there he provides me with sustenance and restores my faith by his overwhelming love.