John 21:7 KJV Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
This is not the first time Peter had abandoned his fishing boat. He abandoned his boat once before when Jesus asked him to follow Him.
Matthew 4:18 KJV And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Jesus walks up to Peter as he and his brother, Andrew, were “casting a net into the sea and said; “follow me.” Their response; they immediately left all and followed Jesus. Peter was willing and ready to leave his life and follow Jesus. But what Jesus had in mind and what Peter had in mind were often at odds.
Peter vs. Jesus
John 13:6-8, Peter, Jesus you will not wash my feet
John 18:8-11 Peter, Jesus will not be taken
Matthew 16:21-23 Peter, Jesus will not die
Luke 22:31-62 Jesus did wash Peter’s feet. He was taken. He did die. Peter could not stop any of it and he did deny Jesus three times just like Jesus said (v54-60).
Luke 22:61 KJV And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Peter did deny Jesus. Peter did abandon his Messiah. Peter wept bitterly. Peter had done exactly what Jesus said he would and none of what he proclaimed. Peter had been cut to the “separating of soul and spirit” with the purpose “to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Peter came face to face with his own weaknesses. His heart was deeply wounded and broken. He lost hope. His Messiah was going to die and he was a traitor. This is the realization every true believer has faced. I, like Peter, found that I had betrayed my Messiah. I knew about Him but had no revelation about His cross, death, burial, and resurrection. I am exactly who God says I am without Him. Thank you Lord Jesus that does not have to be the end.
Ephesians 2:4 KJV But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
But God, words of hope and joy. Restoration and peace. Jesus is alive and He is coming to see Peter (Mark 16:17).
Peter back to fishing
Peter not knowing what to do, went back to what he did know, fishing. His heart ached and anguished over the loss of his first love. Peter was on his way to learning an unforgettable attribute of God.
John 21:7 KJV Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
Peter, full of emotion, dives into the sea. He can’t get to the love of his heart fast enough. They are but a short distance from shore but Peter urgently moves toward mercy, grace, forgiveness, and loving-kindness. His heart can once again sing with joy, hope, and peace. 
Like Peter, we are called to saving faith. We work and live believing Jesus is God in flesh, Lord, and Savior but we do not live in or for our spiritual purpose. That is living in the good works God planned for us, to glorify Him. But as we grow in deeper understanding of the love with which we are loved, we will abandon ourself and live life on purpose (Ephesians 3:14-19). That is one purpose, completing our own race that God sets before us.
Ephesians 2:8 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Have you abandon your life to follow Jesus? Who is your first love?
