As I’ve been praying with the resurrection Scriptures this Easter, what’s been standing out to me again and again is Jesus seeking out his friends to be with them. His work here is technically done. He could be spending this time however he likes, but he keeps seeking out his friends. He spends hours walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, so deeply present to their hurting hearts. He comes to the disciples in the upper room. He has a beautiful moment with Mary Magdalene at the tomb. He cooks breakfast for his friends and spends what seems to be just a long morning together with them, unrushed, just attentive to their hearts.
This is a painting of Jesus in John 21 with his charcoal fire, watching his friends out fishing, cooking them breakfast and waiting for them to return. Not having anything else to do, Peter had announced to his friends, “I’m going fishing.” I’ve often heard this interpreted as Peter going back to his old ways. But whether that’s what Jesus sees or not, he certainly knows this is where he’ll find Peter. Skiing, painting, hiking, and playing guitar are some of my things. Fishing is Peter’s thing. It’s where he defaults to be comfortable, maybe to be comforted. Jesus knows that’s where to go to find him because he knows Peter. So he goes, and he waits for him. He goes to Peter’s space and blesses him there, and waits to be with him. And when they’re together he tends to the most aching part of Peter’s heart by redeeming his denials of Jesus with opportunities to express his love for him.
In a moment when Jesus is bound by nothing, he wants to meet his friends in their space to bless them and be with them.
