Courtyard moment

Oooo...good sermon today titled Jesus Walks into the Uncertain. Doesn't matter what they call it; the premise is what counts. Looking at John 21. Set it up...after Jesus has been crucified. Disciples go back to fishing. That's what they know to do, right? They catch nothing...not looking good especially for Peter, who has not been working the past nine months because he's been following this Jesus fellow around the countryside.
Morning comes, a man on the beach asks how the fishing is...not good obviously, they didn't catch a thing. He tells them to try the other side of the boat. (Boats prob not that big that the fish could just hang out on one side and not the other) They give it a whirl...

take a step back in time...The night Jesus is betrayed. In the garden of gethsemane, mob comes, Peter cuts off guys ear, Jesus puts it back (would have loved to see that), they take Jesus to the courtyard of the high priest. Peter tags along, planning a covert op to rescue his friend (planning is a relative term here, not thinking things through too much as goes his character *refer back to the cut off ear.). Peter enters the courtyard by telling the 12ish y.o. slave girl at the gate that he doesn't know this Jesus guy. Then goes to warm himself by the coal fire (not a lot of light, easy to blend in). The girl comes over after studying Peter and knowing for sure he's one of the 12. Peter swears he's not, again denying Jesus. Peter retreats to the shadows, still in the courtyard, one can only guess he's still trying to figure out how he's gonna spring his friend who by now has started to get one of his many beatings of the night. Some guys come up and get in Peter's face; they know he is one of the disciples. Peter the third time swears he is not. In one moment, the cock crows twice and Jesus and Peter make eye contact (through a door, open air area, same courtyard remember not too big in those days). Peter knows, reality hits, the haze lifts. He knows in that instant that he did just what Jesus said he would do and swore wouldn't happen. That's his courtyard moment.

...back to the boat. The other side works, they call in another boat to help haul in the fish. Someone yells that it was Jesus on the shore, Peter dresses and jumps in the water (I would probably have thought to do the opposite...??) Peter gets up on shore to greet Jesus. The first time since he's denied him three times...oooo, what do you say now. Talk about awkward silence...After a nice fish breakfast, they take a walk. Jesus comes alongside Peter.
Jesus says: Peter, do you love me?
Peter: yes
Jesus: feed my lambs
J: Do you love me?
P: you know I do!
J: take care of my sheep
J: Do you love me?
P: you know all things, you know that I love you (I can't decide if an exclamation mark, or a teary trail of dots is appropriate here.)
J: Feed my sheep.
What do we do after those courtyard moments? You messed up, you know it, Jesus knows it. Jesus says feed my sheep. Take care of mine.
I mess up. I do what I know I didn't want to do at one point. I turn sheepishly to Jesus. He knows it. He saw it happen; He was in the courtyard with me. He tells me to get back on task and take care of His. Don't waste anymore opportunities mulling over the events leading up to the courtyard. It's over, it's done, I'm restored and Jesus says to move on. I like it. I don't feel like I deserve it, but I like it. I can't say it won't happen again, but I'm thankful for this feeling of healing, restoration, love.