Divine Appointment

"After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way."
John 21:1

After His resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself to the Eleven (the Twelve minus Judas) twice-once when Thomas was absent, and another time when he was present. (John 20:19-29) Luke's Gospel tells us of an earlier appearance of Jesus to Peter alone. When the two disciples on the Emmaus Road told the Eleven they had seen the risen Lord, the response was, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" (Luke 24:34) The apostle Paul confirmed this in 1 Corinthians 15:5, using Simon Peter's other name: "...he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

What transpired between the Lord and Peter at that one-on-one meeting? What did Jesus say to Peter, and what did Peter say to Jesus? The Gospel writers remained silent, perhaps because Peter chose not to talk about it. Some things are too personal, even sacred between two individuals, and therefore best kept confidential.

In The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, there is a scene of Aslan speaking to Edmund after he betrayed his siblings to the White Witch. Aslan rescued Edmund and spent a long time talking with him. When he brought Edmund back to his siblings, Aslan told them, "There is no need to talk about the past." Lewis does not tell his readers what transpired between Aslan, a figure of Jesus, and Edmund, someone like Peter. Likewise, the gospel-writers kept silent.

Did that conversation with Jesus close the chapter of failure for Peter? Apparently not. Hence, the need for another appointment. Perhaps, Peter heard Jesus say, "I forgive you." But forgiveness given is not necessarily forgiveness received. Peter could have found it hard to forgive himself. He needed time to resolve the emotions of guilt and shame, the sense of failure, and the loss of confidence.

No wonder Jesus sent a message through the women and the angels to Peter. They would meet again after some time, and pick up where they had left off-not in Jerusalem full of bad memories, but back in Galilee where it all started.

Lord, thank You for being there for me, even specially for me. You know how much I need that personal touch and private conversation.