peace . love . joy

'Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say , "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.'

~ John 21:7

"It is the Lord!" That is all Peter needed to hear. Those four monosyllabic words. "It is the Lord!" And he believed it.

He didn't call out to the figure on the shore, asking the man to bid him come to him by walking on the water as he did Jesus few years ago. No. At the sound of those words from John, Peter threw on his outer garment and rushed to be at the Lord's side the fastest, and perhaps only, way he knew how: he swam.

Bear in mind this was early in the morning still, and the water's probably, most definitely, cold. But Peter just swam those chilly choppy hundred yards or so just to be by his risen Lord's side once more. One might venture that that was all that was on his mind then: "I've got to get to Jesus. Now." That's probably not too far off.

The desperation and urgency and excitement to be by Jesus' side is evident in Simon Peter's response. You might've thought Peter, of all the disciples, would jump out of the boat and start swimming the other way; away from Jesus on the shore, considering that it was he who betrayed Jesus thrice before the rooster crowed, considering it was to him who Jesus directed that intense gaze after the betrayal. But no! Impulsive, fiery, passionate, broken Peter dove headlong into the cold waters of the sea and swam, fastest he could, burst out of the water, soaking and dripping wet, jogging stupidly towards Jesus, probably splashing Him a little too. He ran straight to the One whom he thrice betrayed.

I think Peter, like Judas, was numb with grief and misery at what he did; Peter with his denials of ever even knowing the Christ, and Judas with his transaction of his Rabbi with thirty silver coins. But here is where the similarities end. Peter, unlike Judas, knew what was in store for him by the stranger on the shore. Peter, unlike Judas, knew at least a bit about the Lord and His ways. Peter, unlike Judas, knew forgiveness incarnate was standing there waiting for him.

Whatever sins you have committed in your life; the things that you did that hurt the Lord, and, the things you did not do that would otherwise please the Lord, know that Jesus, your Lord and Savior, is forgiveness embodied.

What's stopping you from rushing to Him who stands on the shores of Life?
What's stopping you from running into His arms, sobbing like an idiot?

Pride?
Disbelief?

Jesus promises us forgiveness. Jesus is it: His sole purpose to come and die betrays His forgiving and loving nature.
So easy, huh? Just come and say you're sorry and really want to be forgiven so bad you could burst..

How do you respond to that: ready forgiveness?