Church of the Primacy of St. Peter

 Restoration of Peter

 

Introduction

 

1. Welcome to the place where the risen Jesus met with seven of His disciples and prepared them a breakfast of fish and bread after they had fished all night.

 

2. It was here that Jesus restored Peter to fellowship with Him and entrusted him to feed His sheep.

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3. We'll see the very place, according to tradition, where Jesus and His seven disciples met.

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4. We'll go down by the seashore and reflect on the miraculous catch of fish Jesus performed just before calling them to land to eat, and the restoration of Peter.

 

Location

 

1. Tabgha is located on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee.

 

2. There are seven springs found in this area, which provide one of the best places for fishing around the sea. 

 

3. Some of the springs provided warm sulfuric water that caused the fish to gather here. It was also used for health purposes, and many came from far away to find healing and relief in its waters.

 

4. Waters from these springs were also taken to nearby fields and villages via canals.

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Historical Background

 

1. The first church was built here around 350 AD by the Byzantines.

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2. At the base of the current church, opposite the main altar, the foundations of the first church are visible.

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3. In around 808 AD, the church was referred to as the Place of the Coals. This name refers to the incident in which Jesus prepared a meal for the apostles, building a charcoal fire on which to cook the fish.

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4. Also first mentioned in the year 808 AD are the "Twelve Thrones", a series of heart-shaped stones, which were placed along the shore to commemorate the Twelve Apostles.

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5. The church survived longer than any other in the area, finally being destroyed in 1263 AD. 

 

6. The church today was built in 1933 and incorporated parts of an earlier 4th-century church.

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Places of Interest

 

1. Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.

 

2. Floor Mosaics

• As visitors step inside the church, they are greeted by a stunning display of mosaic decorations adorning the floor. These intricate designs showcase the diverse flora and fauna of the region in vibrant colors, creating an atmosphere of reverence and beauty.

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• The most famous mosaic, located near the altar, depicts a basket of loaves flanked by two fish, serving as a powerful symbol of the miracle the church commemorates.

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2. Mensa Christi (Table of Christ)

• The church features a limestone rock projection in front of the present altar, which is venerated as a "Mensa Christi," meaning the table of Christ in Latin. According to tradition, this is the spot where Jesus is said to have laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles.

 

3. Statue of Jesus and Peter

• Inscription: "Feed My sheep."

 

4. Beach close to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.

 

5. Twelve Thrones

• A series of heart-shaped stones placed along the shore to commemorate the Twelve Apostles.

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6. Outside the church, by the beach, there are some stairs cut into this rock by the church. It’s believed that someone carved these steps in the second or third centuries, which is why in the year 381 AD, Egeria visited this area and reported that, “next to the Church of the Loaves and Fishes, which is nearby, there are some stone steps where the Lord stood".  

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7. Ancient Boat Docks

•  The beach is flanked by two ancient piers constructed from black basalt boulders.  That proves that this was a fishing spot during the time of Jesus, and it was on these piers that fishermen would embark and disembark from their boats.

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Restoration of Peter 

 

The disciples had returned to their home towns on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem.

 

2. They undoubtedly felt very depressed, lonely, and as if their whole world had come to an end.

 

3. Their beloved Master had been crucified, and they were left wondering what would happen now.

 

4. They probably called into question how they had spent their past 3 ½ years following Christ.

 

5. Peter especially felt depressed and spiritually sick. He had denied Christ his Lord and Master three times after he had just moments earlier said he would follow Him even to death.

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Restoration of Peter in the Bible

 

1. After Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples went back to fishing like old times. 
John 21:1–3: Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberius. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee [James and John], and two other disciples were together [7 disciples in all]. 3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

 

2. Jesus appears to the disciples.
John 21:4–14: Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread [in John 18:18 Peter denied Christ by a charcoal fire]. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153 [according to Hebrew alphabetics, this number meant “I Am God”], but even with so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish [same food as the feeding of the 5,000]. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

 

3. Jesus restores Peter.
John 21:15–17: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”

 

4. This encounter was like the first time Christ called Peter to be His disciple. 
Luke 5:1–11: On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word, I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

 

Faith Lesson

 

1. Peter’s original calling to be a disciple and his restoration follow the same miracle pattern. Christ did this on purpose because He wanted Peter to remember his roots and beginning. 

 

2. Christ was the one who reached out to Peter and took the initiative to restore him.

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3. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him 3 times because Peter denied Him 3 times.

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4. God realizes we are human and make mistakes.

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5. The main thing God looks for in restoration is a spirit of repentance and a contrite, humble heart.

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6. Am I in need of restoration in some way?

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7. Do I understand that God is more interested in my restoration with Him than I probably am?

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