Still Present

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4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. (John 21:4-7)

After releasing them from fear and doubt in the upper room where they'd been hiding, Jesus continued to make his presence known among his disciples. On one of those occasions several of the disciples had gone fishing but had caught nothing. As they were preparing to head back to shore empty handed, Jesus called to them from the beach and told them to let their nets down again. Even though they didn't realize that it was Jesus speaking to them, they still obeyed. When the catch was so massive that they couldn't lift the nets, John realized that it was indeed Jesus who had called to them.

Once together on the beach, they cooked the fish they had caught and shared a meal with the risen Jesus. This communal gathering provided renewal and forgiveness as the bond was restored that had been broken by their collective abandonment, and Peter's denials, of Jesus. Where Peter had denied knowing Jesus over a charcoal fire, he now had the opportunity to proclaim his love for Jesus over a charcoal fire. Jesus continued to display amazing love and compassion for those who were hurting and lost.

The disciples' first experience of Jesus' power had been with a massive catch of fish while Jesus was in the boat with them. Now, even as Jesus was no longer physically with them in their work, he was still present, still showing his power, and they could still hear his voice. Jesus had promised to make them fishers of people and their work was not done - in fact, it was only just beginning.

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection make it possible for us all to find restoration and forgiveness with God and one another. God's power is still able to do the unimaginable if we are willing to trust and obey the voice of Jesus.

1 I will exalt you, Lord,

for you lifted me out of the depths

and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,

and you healed me.

3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;

you spared me from going down to the pit.

4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;

praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning.

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

(Psalm 30:1-5, 11-12)