When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes ... and dove into the sea. (21:8)This image captures me today. Peter couldn't wait to see Jesus. It wasn't the first time Jesus had appeared to Peter, yet Peter still jumped out of the boat and into the water to get to Him. This moment reveals a lot about their relationship and sets up the next scene with Jesus asking Peter to feed His sheep and follow Him.
Another relational theme we've seen throughout the book of John is John referring to himself as "the disciples Jesus loved." This reference could seem arrogant, but I think Jesus would have called John out if it was in the least a prideful statement. Instead, it reveaks another dimension of Jesus' relationship with His disciples and ultimately with us.
"[Jesus] is the ultimate friend 'who sticks closer than a brother.' He will never let us down. He is committed to making us into the glorious, unique person that we can be in him. In John 15:9-15 this is accomplsihed because he is our Divine Friend, but in Ephesians 5, he accomplishes this because he is our Divine Husband. In his redemptive work, Jesus is both Friend and Lover..." (Keller, The Meaning of Marriage)The Savior of my soul, the Holy One, is at the same time my Divine Friend and Husband! Why wouldn't I dive into the sea (or suffering or inconvenience or loving difficult 'sheep' or sacrificing my plans...) for such a One as this?
This is my Savior, Friend, and Lover. He has pursued me, and is pursuing me, as He did Peter and John. He made clear to them that following Him did not include a better life now but a life and death that would glorify God. They dove right in and even in the midst of their failures, His love for them could not be contained "in a world big enough to hold such a library of books."
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