“Fix these words of mine in your hearts . . . tie them as symbols on your hands” Deuteronomy 11:18

Night Fishing

Today's Verse

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. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
John 21:1-19 · NIV

The Devotion

If you've been reading John with us, you know how Peter denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus predicted. Peter even cursed and doubled down in his denial of the Lord. He certainly had a lot on his mind after the crucifixion and seeing that the tomb was empty. I'd bet that Peter had more questions than answers.

So, Peter did what a lot of men do when they don't know what to do: he said, "I'm going fishing."

Jesus then performed a miracle He had done before. The same miracle he did with Peter when Peter first began following Jesus. After a night of catching nothing but seaweed, Jesus said the word, and they hauled in more fish than they could handle!

Peter, the one who often was impulsive, jumped out of the boat and swam to the shore. I've always wondered if Peter's eyes were low as he walked up to the charcoal fire (the charcoal smell would have reminded him of his denial around another charcoal fire a few days earlier).

Jesus restored Peter! After he blew it. He even gave Peter a responsibility: to lead and shepherd the early church. Then, Jesus repeated the same invitation He gave to Peter three years before: "Follow me."

If you feel like you've blown it, missed the mark, or God has no use for you, you can be sure of one thing: the voice speaking those words is not from the Lord. When we're following Jesus, there's abundant love, grace, and even purpose. Just look at Peter!

A Prayer for Today

Lord, thank you that no one is too far gone. Thank you that we have forgiveness, restoration, redemption, and purpose as we follow Jesus every day. Thank you for delivering me from evil, just like Mary Magdalene. Let me tell others with excitement all You've done for me today. In Jesus' name, amen.

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