After the resurrection of Jesus the disciples returned to fishing, somewhat strange and yet in reality this was all they knew. When Jesus called Peter to follow he left his nets in obedience along with the others. Now without him they had to survive, so the logical thing was to go back to what they knew best.
Peter and the some of the other disciples had been out all night long and caught nothing, not a single fish.
As the disillusioned disciples steered the boat towards the shore, frustration was in their hearts, that empty feeling of abandonment, not from the fish but Jesus himself.
As they look towards the shoreline they see a stranger in the distance, as they come closer he shouts out to them, "Friends haven't you any fish?" "No" they answered.
This stranger [Jesus] instructs them to cast their nets onto the right side and they will find some fish. Again in obedience they cast their nets out and the result is amazing. The nets full to the brim and over flowing to the point that they begin to break under the strain.
John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, recalls that this had happened once before "It is the Lord?" he gasps.
Peter jumps into the water, yes that impetuous Peter in at the "deep end" so to speak.
The others follow pulling the boat full of fish onto the shore where breakfast had been prepared by Jesus for His disciples.
What do we see by this action of Jesus? Even though He was the risen Lord, even after all He had been through, He was the servant Lord, caring for all their basic needs.
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast"
As the disciples gather around there appears to be an air of uncertainty, is this Jesus, if not who are you?
Jesus gives them the bread and fish and they realise that it is the Lord.
After breakfast, Jesus gives Peter three chances to reaffirm his love and commitment in contrast to the earlier three time denial.
Jesus does not condemn Peter?s betrayal but gives the opportunity to reaffirm his promise made three years earlier.
"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."
So a second and a third time Jesus poses questions to Peter and Peter is somewhat indignant at being asked the same question over and over again.
Peter had forgotten that he was supposed to be a "fisher of men" and had returned to his old ways. We too need to be reminded that when we accepted Christ into our lives we made that same promise. Are we fishing for men, women and children or are we seeking the easy way out?
Jesus offers a way back without condemnation. He offers love, affirmation, and a hot breakfast to all those who have come a long way, but have further to go.
May we each get out of the boat and meet the ?stranger on the shore? and experience a life changing moment, for the stranger is Christ himself.
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March 2010
February 2010
December 2009 - January 2010