It’s the Third Sunday of Easter – one of the Lectionary readings is from the 21st chapter of John’s Gospel. It’s a moving moment. Peter has seen the risen Lord. However, he feels that after his betrayal when Jesus needed him most, perhaps it would be better if he and the others returned to their old way of life, when things were simpler and far safer.
So they go fishing. The last thing they expect is for Jesus to turn up. But He does. Because it’s time for Peter to accept the challenge he was given three short years ago. Jesus urges him three times. To parallel Peter’s three denials.
I felt the song created by the model was a fitting finale to my John’s Gospel playlist. It draws from other parts of Peter’s story – his confession of faith at Caesarea Philippi and his attempt to walk on water in Matthew 14. But most importantly, the way the repetitive command to “Feed my sheep”. integrates well as the chorus.
[Verse]
On the shore when morning breaks
Cast your net across the waves
Fish abound where darkness fades
Familiar voice calls out your name
[Verse 2]
Three times asked do you love me
Feed my lambs and set them free
Peter wept by dawn’s first light
Turned his heart from wrong to right
[Chorus]
Feed my sheep and love my flock
Build your faith upon this rock
In your heart where I reside
Guide them safely to my side
[Verse 3]
Walking down the sand-strewn path
With the One who faced God’s wrath
Grace pours down like endless rain
Binding up what once was pain
[Verse 4]
Peter rise and walk with me
Through the stormy Galilee
Find your strength within my grace
Every trial you shall face
[Bridge]
Three times love brought healing pure
Past mistakes become obscure
Rise and lead with strength anew
Peter I believe in you
That final line – points back to Peter’s confession all those years back, it’s obviously not in the gospel narrative. It’s a platitude we used to see on stickers and bookmarks many years ago. “God believes in YOU!” we would tell each other without thinking too hard about what that actually meant. Because it would mean that persecution and suffering would be our prize; a precious possession that our Loving Father knew He could entrust us with. Perhaps having a god who knew He couldn’t rely on you would be so much more … convenient.
But for Peter, knowing what he would face in the future, it feels scarily apt.
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