We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk.
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John 21:1-19 (NRSV)
1After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Devotional Thought:
This is such a rich passage of Scripture with so many different aspects we could reflect upon. Nevertheless, as I read this story afresh my eyes were drawn to verses 9-10. When the disciples came to shore Jesus already had a charcoal fire going “with fish on it.” In other words, he didn’t need the fish that he had just helped them miraculously catch. Still, Jesus invited them to contribute—“Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” The same idea is found in Peter’s restoration in verses 15-19. Jesus doesn’t need Peter to feed his sheep. He doesn’t need any of us. But in Jesus’ relationality, he helps Peter to see his own value. In the same way, God invites us to participate in what God could do better without us. True relationship is not transactional. It doesn’t use people for what they can do for us. True relationships are messy and when we invite others to share life with us it will get messy too. Things won’t get done perfectly and some things may not get done at all. And we will have times where we just want to do it ourselves. But this is not how God treats us, and it is not how we should treat one another. If we truly love others and want to help them see their own worth in our eyes (and in God’s eyes), then we must include them.
Prayer:
God of love, thank you for how you have reached out in love to include me. You have helped me to recognise my worth in your eyes and this is transforming the way I see myself. Help me, through the Holy Spirit, to do the same for others. Give me compassion, empathy, patience, and a deep love for my neighbour. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Rev. Dr. Rob A. Fringer
NTC Principal