Jesus’ Swim Team

Meditations for Ragamuffins

November 14, 2023

Jesus’ Swim Team 

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

John 21:7b 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus appeared to Peter, and others, at least twice the first week after his resurrection. On Sunday evening, Jesus came to the room where the disciples were hiding and imparted the Holy Spirit to them. Thomas was not present on that occasion, but Jesus returned a week later to encounter him. On neither occasion is there mention of any dialog between Jesus and Peter.

In John 21, Jesus encountered Peter and the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. On this occasion, there is an intense, deeply personal conversation between Jesus and Peter. However, before the conversation takes place, Peter is with the others on the lake fishing. I suspect Peter’s thoughts were consumed with guilt and condemnation as he remembered his conversation in Caiaphas’ courtyard: “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not” (John 18:17).

Even so, Peter knew Jesus’ heart, and that knowledge led Peter to plunge into the water and swim to Jesus.

Recall that God knows the motives of our hearts. (See My Takeaway, November 10, 2023) Consider the words of the psalmist, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24). What if we were to take seriously these words, and open ourselves to see what God already knows? Would we, like Peter, run to Jesus? Or would we hide in shame? As you ponder that question, consider that 1 Corinthians 13 is an affirmation of God’s love for you?

God’s love for you is patient and kind. God’s love for you is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. God’s love for you does not demand its own way. God’s love for you is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. God’s love for you does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. God’s love for you never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. God’s love for you will last forever!

I Corinthians 13:4-7,8b (My translation)

My Takeaway: Maybe today is a good day for us to purpose in our heart to join Peter on Jesus’ swim team.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.