John 21:1-14
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee,
and two other disciples were together.
3Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.”
“We will go with you,” they said.
So they went out and got into the boat,
but caught nothing that night.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,
but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.
5So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”
So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in
because of the great number of fish.
7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment
(for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.
8The other disciples came ashore in the boat.
They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land,
only about a hundred yards.c
9When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore.
It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.
12“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them.
None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?”
They knew it was the Lord.
13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them,
and He did the same with the fish.
14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples
after He was raised from the dead.
***
Don't you love this story?!
Recently a few of my devotions have pointed to the richness of its details!
How dreary the disciple's return to hum-drum life must have seemed,
in light of the past three years spent with Jesus!
How discouraged they must have been after a night of 'fruitless/fishless' net-casting!
but Jesus cared about them in their common tasks, calling from the shore!
(Calling them 'children like a tender-loving Daddy/Abba-Father)
Not only did He meet them there but had gone ahead of them to prepare a fire,
knowing there would be fish!
They didn't recognize Him right away
but oh, the joy when they did!
What a beautiful picture for present-day
disciples and fishermen to cherish and draw encouragement from!
I captured the delight of this fisherman on the weekend!
This joyful moment followed the frustration of the loss of a lure
after his line snagged and broke,
and he needed to mend it and cast again!
Wherever we are,
whatever today holds,
let us not lose heart
for the One who overcame the world is with us!
John 16:33
“I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
He cares for us; and does not leave us to fend on our own
God never sends us out to ‘fish’ or fight faith’s fights alone
But takes a tender int’rest in our labours here on earth
For no task is too commonplace when filled with love’s great worth
He comes to us; no matter where the call of duty lies
He does not leave us comfortless to feast on futile sighs
But cheers us onward, for His grace will always be enough
To bear us up beneath love’s charge with hope and joy and love
He comforts us; into grief’s valley streams of mercy pour
When we are heavy-laden, look He beckons from the shore
To 'come'; no matter who we are He loves us all the same
His Spirit ministers to all who call upon His name
He carries us; like a Shepherd He tends His precious flock
And lifts us to His bosom when we are too weak to walk
His love will never fail, each morning His mercy is new
To fit us for whatever today holds, our whole life through
© Janet Martin
This song kept going through my mind on the weekend as
I marveled at the way trees grow out of rocks!!
