Destroy Barriers

On that day Peter was a man with a heavy heart.  Though he was fishing with the other disciples his mind was elsewhere.  He had forsaken Jesus.  In the moment of pressure he had caved denying Him three times.  Now Jesus was alive again. He had already appeared to the disciples twice, but Peter had yet to make things right.

That day would prove to be different for Peter.  Having caught no fish, a voice from the beach yells, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some (John 21:6)."  Though the voice was correct and an abundant of fish were caught, the powerful moment for Peter would not be about fish.  It was, once again, coming face-to-face with Jesus.  This was now his third opportunity to repent for his wrong doing.

We are not sure of the distance between the shore and the boat.  We know it was close enough for them to hear Jesus' voice but far enough out to be able to fish.  Regardless of the exact distance, Peter's actions are forever recorded in Scripture as epically noteworthy.  Overwhelmed with the conviction of guilt, he jumps in the water, swims to shore at a speed that outpaces the boat, and presents himself dripping wet to Jesus.

Peter destroyed the barrier between himself and repentance.  I can almost see him standing in front of Jesus, water dripping from his beard and out of breath, maybe hands on his knees in exhaustion, repeating the words, "This time, this time...nothing was going to get in the way."

Barrier Christianity is when we spend 90% of the time talking about the barrier and only 10% destroying the barrier.  Peter did the opposite.  He spent about 10% of the moment seeing the barrier and 90% destroying it.  Peter did more than swim that day. He eliminated the gap between himself and repentance with reckless abandon.  He pursued God with equal or more passion than he had previously pursued the things of this world.  It changed his life forever.

Today is the day to destroy barriers.  Now is the time.  Let's not allow another opportunity to escape us.  The Voice from the shore is still calling.  Do you hear Him from your boat?  If so, run full throttle to Him.  He wants to eat with you.

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden