Going Overboard

John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.

Have you ever been accused of going overboard on something, especially the Lord? Peter has literally gone overboard in his hurry to get to the shore and the Lord. We have no idea how far out they were or how deep but from the story they were close enough to have a conversation and John identified Jesus. Peter just bails and starts for shore.
Peter’s first contact with Jesus was through his brother, shortly after the Lord’s baptism. And though Peter was impressed it was not until Jesus introduced and unorthodox fishing method that Peter realized his own sinfulness and responded to the call to follow Jesus.
Then Peter began to witness amazing things as he walked with Jesus. He had seen water turned to wine. His mother-in-law healed along with so many others. He saw a little girl rise from the dead as well as Lazarus. He walked on the water, though only for a short time, with Jesus. He watched as Jesus cast out demons and saw Jesus stand in the face of political opposition. What have you watched Jesus do in your life or the life of others around you?
But Peter had failed too. He had been caught in his own boasting and pride when he declared that all others would leave but he would be with Jesus and never leave but would be willing to die for Jesus. He had declared Jesus to be the Son of God but did not understand that Jesus would die. That did not fit into his ideas. He also figured that he would have a position in the kingdom. He had argued like all the rest as to who would be the greatest. Though he wanted to be loyal he fell asleep when Jesus needed him to pray and when it came to the test he denied Jesus three times.
Have you found yourself failing Jesus and not sure how to change it? Did it seem that the more you tried to fix it yourself the deeper you got. That seemed to be the problem with Peter. He found himself sitting in a room, filled with fear, waiting for his own arrest and death. He had cried out for forgiveness and had gone to the cross but he also watched Jesus die and felt like a failure. Jesus suddenly appeared to them all and Peter knew that He rose from the dead but still could not seem to get back to his enthusiasm. That brought them here fishing.
He had gone back to what he knew and Jesus followed him. Jesus did not chastise them for being there but reminded them (and especially Peter) of their call. How did he do that? By reminding them of the unorthodox fishing method. When Peter realized John was right he made a decision. He left the fish behind, took what he had with him (his outer cloak) and went to Jesus. He just knew he needed to be with Jesus more than anything else.
There was something else I noticed. It was that Jesus knew that Peter needed forgiveness and so he invited him for a walk and there cleared the slate and restored the call. Peter, do you love Me? Yes, Lord. Then feed my sheep.
Good ol’ loveable Peter wanted to know about John’s outcome but Jesus just said, “What is that to you? Come follow me. And Peter did. He went overboard, even to his death and he never looked back.
I guess it’s good to go overboard for Jesus. That way he will give you everything you need even if you have failed Him to go on and serve Him and never look back