Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: John 21

Simon Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night of His arrest. It is hard to imagine him feeling anything other than shame and embarrassment in the presence of the risen Jesus. Talk about an “elephant in the room” as Jesus hosted the seven disciples for a breakfast on the beach, two weeks or so after His resurrection.

Simon might have preferred to avoid time alone with Jesus, but Jesus knew that it was exactly what he needed. So, after breakfast, Jesus took him aside and they walked together along the shore of Lake Galilee. Jesus did not mention Simon’s denial, but He firmly led their conversation to the heart of the matter. He helped Simon to confess his love for Jesus as His Lord, and He showed Simon that He was willing to completely trust him again, and that He still believed in him.

When that walk along the beach began, Simon’s past betrayal hung in the air like a mist. But by the time they returned, it had evaporated in the warmth of Jesus’ love and trust.

It’s a deeply meaningful scene and once again it shows us the life-giving power of spending intentional quality time in companionship and conversation with others. With whom will you spend such time today? To whom will you extend the love of Christ through intentional quality time? Who might you take a walk with?

Lord guide me and empower me to love others through spending quality time with them today I pray, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.