Bookplate designed for me by Ian Smith, in 1976, when leaving College. Ian has illustrated various books over the years, and the simple lines convey depth, humour and the smiling compassion of the man himself.
Monday
John 21.2-3 “Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” 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!”
Peter knew about fishing. In a world that had become unfamiliar and where he felt powerless, he went back to what he knew and could control. Distraction, doing the routine things you know best, being in supportive company. But even this seemed to be gone. “That night they caught nothing.” We know this story well – this is the opening scene of one of the great stories of friendship, forgiveness, love and a new beginning. What a friend we have in Jesus! Peter was about to discover this.
Tuesday
John 21.4-6 “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.
This isn’t the carpenter teaching fishermen. This is a sign that the stranger on the shore is no stranger! Water into wine, food for 5,000, walking on storm-lashed seas – and now more fish than they can catch! It can only be Jesus, in whose presence miracles happen, doors and hearts open, and life begins again. Try listening to Acker Bilk playing ‘Stranger on the Shore’ while reading John 21.1-14! It’s a brilliant combination of eye-opening truth and gentle summons to friendship with Jesus.
Wednesday
John 21.7-9 “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… When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.”
Two details. Peter clothed himself and then jumped into the water. He wasn’t going to meet the Lord stripped for work – and he was leaving his boat behind again! The other detail to note is the charcoal fire. The other time Peter stood near a charcoal fire for comfort he denied he ever knew Jesus. (John 18.18) Now he was going to meet the one he disowned around another fire. In the place of his biggest failure he would be forgiven – but only after facing the one question that matters for all who follow Jesus, fail, and want to begin again.
Thursday
John 21.10-11 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said, “Come and have breakfast.”
Why 153? Ancient writers thought there were 153 species of fish, so this might be John’s way of saying that those who are “fishers of men” will gather disciples from all nations. Or maybe 153 was simply the total caught! It’s the invitation that matters in this story. Hungry people are invited to eat in Jesus’ company. But an invitation to share food is also an offer of hospitality and friendship, to people who weren’t sure of their welcome. But the net of Jesus love is tear-proof, and draws them in!
Friday
John 21.12-13 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.
You can just see them, embarrassed, eyes down, everyone trying hard not to be the first to speak. All through the story Jesus makes things happen, does what needs doing. He is the cook, the host and the server. Around a charcoal fire, in the early morning, after a night of failure, they are served with food by the one who said, “I will not leave you desolate, I will come to you.” What a friend we have in Jesus!
Saturday
John 21.15 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.”
You know the story. Three times the same question, “Peter, do you love me?” Three times Peter denied Jesus, three times he gets the chance to repent of those fear filled disclaimers. Each time Peter insists on the truth of his “Yes”. Until he says what we all say, what we all know, “Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you.”
Sunday
1 John 3.20 And this is how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Peter discovers failure is not final. The key question always is our answer to Jesus’ question: “Do you love me? More than these? Really?” Faith is about trust, but it is also about love. Jesus calls us to love and trust him, to know the love of God revealed to us at the deepest places of our need. For God is greater than our hearts.
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