Peter’s story in scripture doesn’t end at John 21:1-19, but our Wandering Heart exploration of Peter’s story ends here. (The book of Acts is filled with stories about the early church and includes many where Peter is a prominent figure.)

Since Ash Wednesday we have been following the life and faith of Peter. We have seen that despite being one of Jesus’ most loyal disciples, Peter still made mistakes. He was faithful and messy, humble and afraid, loving and cautious . . . like all of us.

The last time we heard Peter speak in John’s gospel was the last time he warmed himself by a charcoal fire in the courtyard of the high priest where Jesus was taken in the hours leading up to his crucifixion. Around that fire in the hours leading up to Jesus’ death, Peter denied him three times after promising to follow Jesus to the cross. Now at the end of the gospel, Jesus comes to Peter and asks him three times, “Do you love me?” Jesus’ words can sound like someone who doubts Peter’s response. They can also sound like someone who is offering Peter grace . . . again and again and again.

In meeting Peter where he is, Jesus offers him the opportunity to tell and to live a new story. A story where Jesus doesn’t just search for and welcome the Peter, a lost sheep, back into the fold, but entrusts to Peter the care and tending of his entire flock. Jesus offers Peter the opportunity to embrace this new story.

Easter comes to all the dead ends and detours of our lives and reveals that the tomb is empty. Jesus is alive! Which means that God’s love will have the last word. Jesus invites us, as he invited Peter, to follow him in making this love visible in the world through our lives! This is our story to tell . . . and our life to live!