December 15, 2023

Cannonball Overboard

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work) and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.” John 21:7-8 (NASB)

            When I was younger and not concerned about diving into a pool without getting hurt, I used to run toward the pool and jump in near my daughter. I made a huge splash. It made her nervously smile. You see she had a hard time learning how to swim early on. So I tried to make it fun for her by trying to distract her fear of deeper water. Let’s face it, every father dives into a pool with little or no grace and harmony. We are more like hippos landing and scaring anyone nearby. We have to make sure the kids get a little splashing! We got them back for splashing us earlier when we tried to enter the pool slowly. It also was a way to get in the pool without testing the water to see if it was too cold. Once in the air, gravity took care of the rest. Peter was no longer afraid. There was no storm brewing, and the shoreline was only a hundred yards away. It was an easy swim. He wasn’t going to wait for the boat to head in. He wanted to be first.

             “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work) and threw himself into the sea.” This isn’t the same Peter from the encounter with Jesus on the raging sea earlier, who was nervous about taking the next steps. “And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matt. 14:25-32). He feared for his life after only a few steps. His fear and lack of faith kept him sinking. But now, something was different about his life. Hughes tells the story humorously: “John was ready, and when he saw the net tighten with the great catch, he cried, ‘It is the Lord!’ Peter, as always, was all action. He wanted to give the Lord a respectful greeting, so he threw on his outer garment and performed a cannonball. (People like Peter never dive!) At the original fish miracle, Peter had been so awestruck that he said, ‘Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!’ (Luke 5:8). But now he not only knew about sin but about God’s grace. So there he stood, dripping beard and matted hair, smiling his big, toothy grin.”[1] He met His Savior again.

            Those of us who have met Jesus personally, are so excited when He shows up to tell or show us something. I find some of the best moments in my quiet time with God are reading, and then sensing the Holy Spirit sharing something. Then I realized even the smartest commentators in the world never saw what I did. It is so personal. When He calls to us, there is a bountiful catch. He makes it happen. Don’t allow your quiet times with God to get mundane or common. Meet with the Author personally! Then you will be changed and transformed like Peter.

[1] Hughes, R. K. (1999). (p. 465). Crossway Books.