Devotion 5: Easter, and following

John 21:3 - 7
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.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, "Friends haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
6He 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.
7Then 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.

One of my favorite versus in the entire Bible is John 21:3. Not necessarily because Peter was a fisherman, although that’s fun, but because of what happened after the fishing trip. If you’re a fisherman there have probably been times in your life when you “needed” to fish. You needed time to reflect, process bad news, heal from a hurt, recharge and regroup. Hopefully, time to pray.

Now, imagine you’re Peter – after the crucifixion. Peter had invested EVERYTHING in following Jesus. He had walked away from job, friends, family - all on a promise of something he felt when Jesus walked up to him and said, “come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). Three years later Jesus is dead. Then resurrected and visits the disciples. Then gone again…. Talk about a mind-bending experience. It’s no wonder that Peter returned to a place he felt comfortable. By returning to the water and going fishing Peter I imagine was trying to process everything that was going on by centering himself where he felt comfortable. For some of us that’s a church. For some a river. For Peter it was in a boat with friends doing what he knew.

They fish all night and catch nothing. Who of us hasn’t had a trip like that? But it can still be a good trip because it’s called fishing not catching. And besides, Peter was with two other disciples. They talked all night I’m sure, trying to understand all that was going on and what to do next. The sun comes up. They head to shore and then in the distance someone calls to them with some advice and surprisingly they take the advice and WHAM, catch a bunch of fish. And then, even more surprisingly, the stranger on the shore is recognized. And Peter – without hesitating, without looking back, without doubting, without even thinking jumped into the water to meet his master.

Happy Easter.