April 24th, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Going Fishing?

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Opening Prayer

God of New Beginnings, You have given new life, true life: freedom from the sin that enslaves. May Your name be praised.

Read John 21:1-14

[1] Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: [2] Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. [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. [4] 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. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” [11] So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, 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. [14] This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

Each Christian needs to learn to recognize the supernatural in their lives. Jesus does not hide from us, but works in ways that we may not easily recognize.

Think Further

Today’s narrative carries unique and miraculous components. The disciples started the night as any other night. At first it was uneventful, but then the ordinary was transformed into a magnificent experience. Their emotions, their intellect, and their perception were all altered by the presence of the resurrected Lord.

It is difficult to accept a question that implies doubt about one’s proficiency at one’s job (5). The command that follows suggests more doubts about the disciples’ knowledge (6). Jesus could have prevented their failure, but he didn’t. At their point of failure, Jesus spoke with certainty and assurance. Netting a large catch of fish seems no big deal to the one who defeated death.

This was the third time the resurrected Christ appeared to his disciples (14). It was, however, only after he intervened (6) that the disciples recognized him (7); even John was slow to recognize his beloved Teacher. And even then they were cautious about admitting his presence. The disciples had seen Jesus dead; that was in the past and could not be changed. Yet here was Jesus, eating breakfast with them now! We all have difficulties dealing with the supernatural.

Jesus was not playing tricks; the disciples were learning how to relate to the resurrected Christ. The turning point was when Jesus “took the bread and gave it to them” (13). He revealed himself in everyday life, as the Lord of the Table, the one who has defeated death and drives fear and doubts away. All Christians come to the Lord of the Table with hands full of failures and fears, and there, at the Table, they are confronted with the presence of the one who defeated death.

Apply

How have you encountered the living Lord recently? If anything tends to prevent you recognizing him, ponder what to do or change.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, as I go through today’s routine activities, draw near to me, manifest Your presence, and remind me of Your victory.

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