Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 1Sample

This is the final chapter of the book of John. Here John draws this beautiful parallel, reflecting on his first encounter with Jesus when he worked all night with his brother James and Simon Peter as fishing partners but were left with nothing to show for their efforts.

John portrays Peter going back to fishing to deal with the extreme emotional tension of the past days, the crucifixion and death of Jesus, and his disappointment with himself for denying Jesus three times.

Jesus demonstrates dramatically how a greater grace dimension outperforms Peter’s best efforts and intentions. His grace eclipses their familiar world with its highs and lows.

Jesus deliberately calls Peter, "Simon son of Jonah". This was a stark reminder to Peter of the life he once lived, and how he saw himself. It also becomes the place of encouragement for him to move forward, to let go and to step up. He is no longer the son of Jonah. In Christ he has discovered a whole new reality about his life — he is also a son of God!

If you’re struggling with disappointment or working through the implications of personal failure, remind yourself that your identity is not defined by your failure, but by your inclusion into the death and the life of Jesus Christ. He has become your new identity.