At the end of the Gospel of John there is a campfire.  It’s a scene of laughter and suffering and wonder.  Jesus’ disciples are still trying to puzzle out what effect his resurrection is having on them.  They’re out fishing and he calls to them from the beach.  One of the disciples recognises Jesus and Peter, the disciple who denied knowing Jesus during his trial and was one of the first to run and check the empty tomb,  leaps out of the boat and splashes to the shore.  His spontaneity could make anyone reading the passage smile, or laugh or nod with understanding at the excitement of seeing a friend you thought dead alive and cooking.  Up until now in the story he has been conflicted and hasn’t lived up to his own image of who he wants to be, doubting Jesus and his commitment to him.

Jesus and his followers sit in the early morning hours and enjoy a fish fry.  It’s a good moment at the end of the story, the friends all gathered together, somewhat astounded that they are eating with a man they abandoned and were sure was dead.  It doesn’t stop there.  Peter is about to get wrung out again.

Jesus asks him if he loves him.  Peter, taken aback, answers “Of course!”  Jesus repeats the question, gets the same answer.  This is not a private moment, and Peter appears to be humiliated.  Or uncomfortable.  He wants it to stop, but this is Jesus’ campfire.

He asks Peter again.  Each time when Peter has answered ”Yes” Jesus tells him he has a job to do, to feed Jesus’ sheep. The third time Peter is hurt and frustrated:  “You know I love you!”   Jesus changes the subject, telling Peter the day will come when he is lead around like a child.

There are many interpretations of this passage but I think Jesus is telling Peter it’s time to grow up.  It’s time to leave the easy camaraderie of the campfire, time to leave the familiar family business, time to face his failures, time to take his place in the world.  Being told it’s time to grow up hurts.  It suggests a lack of maturity, makes us examine all the past choices we made.   But there it is.  Peter the impetuous and almost child-like has to become Peter the more responsible.

His namesake, Peter Pan, never wanted to grow up.  Growing up requires us to look at the world around us and make a decision about our part in it and then choose to do something.  Or nothing.