How do we feel about ourselves when we have little to show for our labours? What do we think Jesus feels about us?
Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.
John 21:3
When Peter was feeling down about life, he went back to what he knew best. While struggling with a creeping marginalisation, many go to what we know best. Is it worship or is it anaesthetic?
Jesus standing on the beach, … called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.
John 21:4-5
Jesus brings them to admit their reality. Are we willing to admit where we are?
Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
John 21:6
Jesus does not berate them; he loves them in the way they understand love.
The disciples don’t head home to celebrate success, they head to Jesus.
When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
John 21:9
On arriving they find Jesus’ welcome and cooked breakfast, what a treat. Are we willing to stop and receive a treat from the Lord? Are we so caught up with what our training tells us to be that we don’t have space to receive him?