Hope on the Shore

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "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. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 

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.

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. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 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. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. John 21:1-12

Insight

This passage clearly explains why Christians love to get breakfast together. Though we often prefer Chick-fil-a over scaly fish, I digress. 

In all seriousness, this passage of Scripture speaks to God's willingness to remind us of His faithfulness when all hope seems lost. In moments of desperation, He urges us to look back on our past to remember the strength that follows us into the future. 

Let me set the scene: at this point, Jesus had been in the grave for days. The disciples were listless and filled with unspeakable sorrow. They were probably wondering if Jesus was who He claimed to be. They were probably thinking: Did we dream the whole thing? Did any of His miracles ever really happen, or was it all a mirage? All hope had left their hearts and minds. Some in their communities viewed them as fools. In the eyes of their neighbors, they had fallen for the empty promises of another false messiah. The redemption Jesus promised them now seemed like a cruel joke. So what were they to do? 

Peter decided it was best to go about business as usual. It was time to go back to work and forget the whole charade. But unfortunately, the lack of fish he and his men caught that night only added to the melancholy mood. Their nets were as empty as their hearts. 

It was in this darkness that Jesus showed up for His children. 

This account mirrors another defining moment in Peter's testimony (Luke 5:4-11). In this story, Peter and his men had a rough night on the water; they caught nothing (sound familiar?). After a night of fruitless labor, Jesus instructed them to cast out their nets one last time. Though it was morning, and the heat should've prevented the fish from coming to the surface, the men caught more fish than their boat could carry. Jesus gifted them with provision when they followed His instruction, even though His direction must've seemed illogical. On their own, the men caught nothing. At Jesus' command, they found abundance. 

Peter must've felt a pang of grief when he heard this stranger on the beach call out the exact words Jesus had said to him once before. But the result of following this stranger's instruction was the same as it had been long ago. Peter was now sure of Jesus' identity. Hope hadn't died. Hope stood on the beach, just a few hundred feet away! 

Jesus was faithful to remind Peter of who He was and who He always had been. He reminded Peter that He always comes through. He had provided for Peter countless times in the past, and He wasn't about to stop now. 

The disciples' response to this miracle demonstrates how we ought to respond to reminders of His faithfulness. When He reminds us of His light while dwelling in darkness, we ought to chase after Him. We should dive into the water, fully clothed, ready to receive more hope at His feet. 

Reflection 

• Where has God shown up for you in the past? How can you use these memories to fuel your faith in the present?

Prayer 

Father, thank you for Your provision. Every breath is evidence of Your goodness. Remind me that You are the same God, on the mountaintop and in the valley. Though it is easy for me to focus on my current desperation, help me to shift my focus on how You've come through in previous seasons of grief. Remind me that the same hope You've given me in the past is here with me now. Give me constant awareness of Your grace, according to Your will. Amen.

Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.