No Longer Naked

Am I the only one that thinks it’s weird that Peter was fishing without any clothes on? It gets overlooked in the story, but the first thing Peter does when he sees that it’s Jesus on the shore is to get dressed and then jump into the sea.

Peter has had a rough go of it lately. Stripped bare by his denial of Jesus, he is given another chance by the resurrected Jesus. Covering up his nakedness (doesn’t that remind you of Adam and Eve?) he wades ashore and is met with a warm meal by the fire and the opportunity to be clothed in grace and mercy. Three times he is forgiven, once for each time he denied Jesus, and each time Jesus refocuses his energy. No longer naked with shame, Peter is invited to feed and tend God’s flock again.

How much time do you spend worrying about your own nakedness before God? Worried whether God can or will forgive you for the things you have done or failed to do? Remember that we have a God who loves us and forgives us. Clothed in Christ through our baptisms, we are sent out in that same love to care for the world that God has made.

Forgive us, Lord, and transform us by your love. Amen. — KT