April 9: Jesus at the Sea of Galilee
♫ Music:
Thursday, April 9
Scripture: John 21:4-8
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on 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 of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
JESUS AT THE SEA OF GALILEE
Where should we begin with this passage? Shall we start with the resurrected Lord, standing at the shore? The Savior with scars, who initiated conversation, foregrounded familial intimacy with the word “children.” With loving discourse and heavenly blessing, this patient Teacher caused sagging nets to bloat with abundance. We could—we could start there, and go deep. We could feast on the knowledge that Jesus is able to meet our internal longings as he tends to our physical needs. And yet, that second part of the encounter lingers in my spirit. It is one of my favorite moments of intimate reconciliation. Shall we go there together in this moment?
In this scripture passage, we see the disciples have withdrawn from their calling as fishers of men. Even their aptitude for catching fish is diminished. Exhaustion is a heavy filter. Extended times of stress and sorrow wreck havoc upon our whole being. Molecular biologists will tell you that the human brain was not designed to function well during sustained exhaustion or stress. With this increased anxiety, blood flow to the brain becomes limited, causing negative and confusing conversations. Communication scholars note that when we are living in long-term exhaustion, we tend to experience withdrawal, reduced awareness, and tension. Our ability to see and interpret relevant information becomes blocked. We are pelted with wave after wave of confusion and anxiety, self-focused tendencies, and cognitive overload.
Now, consider two of the disciples in the boat: John and Peter. Weariness of the body and spirit were likely palatable. In one moment, the nets were bursting and John recognized the hand of Jesus. As his lips uttered, “It is the Lord,” Peter threw himself into the water. Think about that for a moment. How could he move past the self-focused sorrow of his great betrayal? Peter had the presence of mind to know what his desperate and thirsty spirit needed. We are told that: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18-19). The Savior was waiting. Peter knew what that meant. Here was Perfect Love, casting out all fear, ready to meet him on the shore.
Consider your own life. Where might you feel withdrawn and unable to interpret messages? Where in your life are you full of tension? Peter had every reason to carry the weight of shame. Yet, he was not distracted by his own sin; instead he was motivated by the presence of his Savior. This exhausted, burdened disciple did not hesitate. He threw himself into the water because he knew who was on the other side.
Here is my encouragement to you: Wherever you are, run to Jesus. Don’t hesitate—don’t worry about what you’ve done or haven’t done. Run to Jesus. Don’t worry about what it looks like or who is watching. Run to Jesus. Don’t let the fears of how messy or hard it is to get out of the boat hold you back. Run, my friend, Run to Jesus.
He is waiting on the shore for you, with food for your body and soul. For this is what the Lord says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives, so do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
PRAYER
Great Reconciler, Kind Teacher, and Intimate Lord, thank you for the way you pursue us. Thank you for seeing us through your scars. Thank you for knowing our needs, both external and internal. Lord, help us to look beyond ourselves. Help us to know how to get out of the boat, break free from the things that hold us back, and run to you. Help us not to be afraid. Holy Spirit train our eyes to see you and our ears to hear you, so that our nets may be overflowing with the evidence of your mighty hand. And, in this way, may we be ready to help those who are hungry in body and spirit.
Amen.
Arianna Molloy, Assistant Professor, Communications Studies
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes
Jacopo Bassano
1545
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Oil on Canvas
About the Artist & Art
Jacopo Bassano (1510 – 1592), also known as Jacopo dal Ponte, got his name from Bassano del Grappo, the town near Venice where he was born and later died. He painted mostly genres and landscapes and is considered the first modern landscape painter. Despite never leaving his hometown, he was an avid collector of art and was influenced by the work of such artists as Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Tintoretto, and Titian. Titian's influence, especially, can be seen in the bright colors Bassano liked to work with. The Miraculous Draught of Fishes was done in 1545, when Bassano was experimenting with Mannerism.
About the Music
Stranger on the Shore lyrics
In the early morning mist
They saw a Stranger on the seashore.
He some how seemed familiar
Asking what the night had brought.
With taught anticipation then,
They listen to His order
And pulling in the net
Found more than they had ever caught.
The one He loved first recognized
The stranger there was Jesus
And he alone remembered
This had happened once before.
The one who had denied Him,
Who had once walked on the water,
Jumped in and swam to Him
To be confronted on the shore.
You need to be confronted
By the Stranger on the shore.
You need to have Him search your soul.
You need to hear the call.
You need to learn exactly
What it means for you to follow.
You need to realize that He's asking for your all.
The meal He had prepared for them
Was waiting on the fire.
The smell of bread,
The sizzle of the fish upon the coals,
The laughter and the joy.
That once more being all together,
They didn't realize that He was searching all their souls.
Then came the painful questions
That would pierce the soul of Simon,
A three-fold chance to reaffirm the love he had denied.
The gentle eyes that saw his heart,
And waited for an answer
Had seen the look upon his face
The moment he had lied.
Now realize that you must
Face and answer all His questions.
As you stand before the Stranger
On the shore inside your heart.
About the Musician
Michael Card (b. 1957) has been writing, recording, and releasing contemporary Christian music since 1981. He has released 31 albums, written 19 #1 singles for himself and other artists, and has authored or co-authored 24 books since the ‘90s. The Stranger on the Shore is from his debut album First Light.
http://www.michaelcard.com/