PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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After his sacrificial death and resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ appeared to his disciples in a number of ways. One way that Jesus showed himself to his followers came after a group of these disciples decided to go fishing. In this devotional, we will hopefully hear something that speaks to our own circumstances.
Read through the entire account and work through the clarifying questions that follow this passage.
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.
(John 21:1-14 NIV11)
Your Small Group
In verses 1-3, we hear how Peter announced to his friends that he needed to get out on the water. His friends made the choice to join Peter. These men had been through a lot together and were no doubt in a place of emotional stress (certainly Peter was).
In this time of need, these friends joined together and sought to be there for each other in a way that they could all enjoy. If you are fortunate to have a few other friends you can call on in your times of need, you are truly blessed. Too many of us would struggle to call together a group like this, even if we had a boat they could use.
Familiar Encounter
The Lord used a familiar scene in his approach toward his disciples. They had been in this situation before, and the familiarity of the miracle of catching fish from the wrong side of the boat after a long night of not catching anything caused them to see the hand of God at work.
Peter was so moved by the appearance of the Lord that he did something odd. He wrapped his heavy woolen coat around himself and jumped into the water. Why would Peter do that? If he wanted to swim to shore, this would only make things more difficult.
My guess is that Peter expected that, like before, he would be able to simply walk to shore. He was filled with faith and excitement and thought that the reminder of times past might mean that even the miracle of walking on water was repeating itself. Alas, not so Peter.
Breakfast
In this scene, Jesus is found having already built a fire, caught some fish, and prepared breakfast for everyone. What a great image. The Immanuel, God in flesh, is seen in his resurrected form, eating with his friends. He was not a specter or a ghost; he was the resurrected Son of God and was ready to break bread with his friends.
Personally, I love this whole situation.
- The disciples of Jesus were hanging out together, bringing comfort to one another in a time of stress and anxiety.
- Peter expressed his great faith in Jesus even as he sank into the water.
- Jesus welcomed his friends with a warm fire and a ready meal.
- The resurrected Lord happily embraced his friends and joined them by meeting their daily needs.
- What else does this encounter teach you?
- What does this situation teach you about the Lord?
- Can you relate to Peter or to the amazement of the others?
If the Lord helps you discover something about yourself or about his nature through the reading of this encounter, would you be willing to tell someone in your life about it today?
Who knows, maybe you will bring them some spiritual warmth and daily bread.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Works at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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