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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. 15 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.” 17 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. 18 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.” 19 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 New International Version Bible)
Happy Monday, dear Reader! I know, I know; not what you like hearing on most Mondays is it? But, with Christ in our lives and fresh in our hearts, every day is a blessed and wonderful day, and so it shall be! We pray it is. We pray for one another. We pray for the needs of those whose hearts are hurting from different occasions, expected and unexpected; difficulties and others challenges; but God has us and God will see us through! Pray for those on your prayer lists and hearts; pray for the needs of the world, especially peace in Ukraine. And may there be peace in your heart knowing that you are loved by God, by me, and by many, some known and some unknown. I thank God that my Nellie is on the mend and this is thanks to God and the way He answers prayers.
Happy Easter! Put away the Easter bonnet and dress, the coat and tie; not necessary unless you want, but it's still the Season of Easter. Christ is risen and has been since the actual event some more than 2,000 years ago. But physcially he appeared to His disciples to confirm their faith and confront their fears. This is one of the stories that John tells to share how he was blessed by the Risen Christ It started this way. The disciples were now away from the Upper Room and on the shore of the Galilee. Peter, who was still stinging from his denial of Jesus, but thankful that Jesus had indeed resurrected from the dead, decides they should do what they knew best as a way of distraction as well as providing food for them and their families. The others decide to join him and so they spend all day fishing and by nightfall they had caught nothing. Early the next morning, as they're still in the boat, they see someone on the shore. It was Jesus but they did not recognize Him. Jesus asks them, "Friends have you caught any fish?" The answer was a painful no. "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." Here is where the discussions start. Peter was a professional fisherman. He had the trophies and cash prizes from Gulf Coast championships he had entered. Oh the arugments he and Mrs. Peter had when he sprung for the bass boat he had wanted for Christmas! The key thing was 1) Obey Christ. 2) Try a new approach 3) Try a new direction 4) Don't be surprised by the large catch! Because that was exactly what happened; the haul was huge!
The second part of this pasaage deals with Peter personally and his responsibility before the Lord regarding the believers. This is a pivotal moment in Peter's life, for he has been forgiven and restored for his actions the night of Jesus' arrest. A dear, long time friend and reader of this devotional, and a faithful devotional writer himself, asked me what was the difference between the repentance of Judas and Peter. I replied it had a lot to do with the actions that followed the moment of their repentance. Judas went and killed himself. Peter went on with his ministry and becomes the leader of the movement that is the Church today. And Peter had this chance to see Jesus and to be blessed by this interaction where Jesus asks Peter if he loved him. It is very touching to read what Jesus asks and what Peter answers. Peter answered yes three times. And three times Jesus tells him, "Feed my lambs," "Take care of my sheep," and "Feed my sheep." Jesus wants all of His disciples to be involved in the care and feeding of His sheep. Our lives should be lived in ways that invite and challenge others to come to faith, and in ways that help nurture others in their spiritual hunger so they are indeed fed by us.
The last part is a personal message to Peter about his future and his death. Peter would live to be an old man, but the day would come when he would be led away to to his death which was by crucifixion. Peter when he realized he was to die in the same way as his Savior, asked that he be crucified upside down since he was not worthy to die in the same way as Jesus. And the passage ends with Jesus once again inviting Peter to "Follow me!" Indeed, may we always know that regardless of our errors, sins, missteps, and shortcomings, Jesus still loves us and wants us to follow Him. May it be so.
PRAYER: Loving Father, fill us with all we need to be faithful and fruitful in our living for You. May we indeed bless others with words and actions that care and feed others. Forgive us for the times we fail, but open our hearts and ears to always hear You, especially when You invite us to follow You; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Love the Lord. Love the Lord's Lamps. Love even the goats who need to become Lambs!
Receive my blessings of peace and encouragement,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
