MONDAY: JESUS MEETS US IN RETREAT
KEY PASSAGE
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “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.
DEVOTIONAL
On Easter Sunday we praise the resurrected king, Jesus, who gave himself for us so that we can live new lives, free from sin and shame. We celebrate the resurrection and the promise of an eternity in heaven. Along with cheering and praise, it is also a look at the state of our lives, our need for repentance, and our position within God’s plan for the world.
On the day after Easter we might be left with the question of what to do now. Where is the resurrected Jesus after the high of Easter wears off, and we return to our routine? What should we do with the gospel in our actual life? Overwhelmed with these questions, it is easy to return to familiar patterns and retreat to old rhythms.
The disciples, you might say, were in the same boat, as they went fishing in John 21. They had already seen with their own eyes that Jesus was alive (John 20:25). Thomas even tested his doubts by touching the wounds in Jesus’ hands (John 20:27). John 21 begins with “afterward,” pointing backwards to the revelation of their risen Lord, and now Jesus would appear again to His disciples. What were they doing “afterwards?” They were doing what was familiar: fishing.
Even the disciples, who fully realized the resurrection of Jesus—who saw Him alive again and touched His wounds—retreated to regular life soon after. Maybe that is comforting to us who have fallen back into our rhythms, unchanged after encountering the truth of Jesus. However, what should give us comfort is that Jesus continues to pursue us in our regular life. Just like Jesus “appeared again to his disciples” while they were fishing. He is calling us again today, as we settle into our regular routine. Jesus is ready to meet you in your actual life.
CHALLENGE
Revisit Easter Sunday in your mind. Think of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Thank Him for dying on the cross for your sin. Invite Jesus into your day.
Receive His love and the truth of the gospel.
Let His grace and mercy influence how you feel, how you work, and how you interact with others today.
TUESDAY: JESUS REDIRECTS OUR OBEDIENCE
KEY PASSAGE
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.
DEVOTIONAL
After a long and exhausting night of fishing, the disciples remain discouraged and empty-handed. They struggled and worked all night putting out nets, in their favorite spots that always produced a catch, but as dawn broke, their nets were empty. Jesus showed up on the scene and the disciples did not recognize Him. He inquires about their catch and instructs them to throw out their nets on the right side of the boat and they will catch some fish. They followed His instructions and caught so many fish that they were unable to bring in the net.
Oftentimes, in our efforts and work we become discouraged and disappointed when there is no fruit as a result. We work hard without recognition, striving for the promotion that we may never receive, studying endlessly for an exam that we end up failing, starting up a business venture that never quite takes off, or trying to build a family without success. This is how the disciples felt after a night of fruitless work. But, Jesus shows up the next morning and the disciples listen to His instructions, even though they don’t understand.
Our typical response would be to complain, “There is no sense in putting the nets out on the other side of the boat, we have fished all night without success.” But, the disciples didn’t complain or try to make sense of the instructions, they obeyed. They aligned themselves and their work with God. Obedience changes everything! And as a result of their obedience, they received a tremendous blessing.
CHALLENGE
Jesus is present in our everyday routines, seasons of waiting, in the quiet of an early morning and even in our disappointments. Have you acknowledged the presence of God in these spaces?
The challenge today is to invite Jesus into these spaces of your life.
Spend a few minutes in prayer and ask Him: Am I in alignment with His will and purposes for my life? Are there any areas that I am choosing not to listen to His voice and instructions?
Where should I cast my net today?
WEDNESDAY: JESUS FEEDS US IN GRACE
KEY PASSAGE
"When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 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. 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."
DEVOTIONAL
After the disciples returned to fishing and experienced a post-resurrection miracle of reeling in a catch of fish on the other side of the boat, Jesus waited for them on the shore, making them breakfast. The disciples saw a charcoal fire with fish and bread already prepared for them and Jesus simply invited them to sit and eat with Him. In that quiet moment on the beach, the risen Savior fed His tired, confused followers.
What makes this scene so powerful is remembering who these disciples were. Only days earlier, they had fled, doubted, and failed Jesus. Peter himself had denied Jesus three times. Yet the first thing Jesus does when He meets them again is not to lecture or rebuke them. Instead, he feeds them. This is a picture of grace.
Easter reminds us that the risen Christ still nourishes His people. He meets us in our weakness, our guilt, and our uncertainty, and He provides what we need. Through His Word, His presence, and His mercy, Jesus continues to feed our souls with grace and new life. Even in the form of breakfast on the beach.
CHALLENGE
Today, take time to “sit at the shore” with Jesus. Spend a few quiet minutes in Scripture and prayer, receiving His grace before rushing into your day. Show up as you are: tired, doubtful, ashamed; let Jesus feed you.
THURSDAY: JESUS RESTORES US IN LOVE
KEY PASSAGE
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.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
DEVOTIONAL
If my best friend asked me three times “do you love me?” I would be frustrated and offended. What do you mean?! Of course I love them! But Jesus’ intent here was not to offend. In fact, the repetition of Jesus’ “do you love me” question to Peter was to intentionally restore.
The disciple Peter was one of Jesus’ closest friends. Just a few days before this moment, the morning before Jesus died on the cross, Peter denied Jesus three times. He denied being Jesus’ disciple and friend. He even denied ever knowing Jesus at all. In our story today, Jesus’ repetition of “Peter, do you love me?” provides Peter the opportunity to restore his three denials with three confessions of love.
Not all these confessions of love were the same. In the original Greek, the first two times Jesus asks, “do you love me” the word He uses for love is “agape.” Agape love is a love that welcomes people in and finds contentment in others. Here Jesus is asking Peter, “Will you welcome me in? Do you find contentment in me?”
But when Jesus asks Peter the third time, He uses a different word for love: “phileo.” Phileo love is the love we find in friendship. Here Jesus is asking Peter, “Am I your friend?” So, not only does Jesus restore their relationship as teacher & disciple, He intentionally restores their friendship as well.
CHALLENGE
Before we ever do anything for Jesus, I believe He asks us the same questions as well:
“Will you welcome me in?”
“Do you find contentment in me?”
“Am I your friend?”
Take five minutes to sit with Jesus. Start by asking Jesus the three questions. What is His response to you? Then, allow Jesus to ask you the three questions. What is your response to Jesus? Use all five minutes to allow a conversation with Jesus to take place. Set a timer if you need to. Keep these answers in mind the next time you go to do something for Jesus.
FRIDAY: JESUS SENDS US WITH PURPOSE
KEY PASSAGE
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
DEVOTIONAL
“Feed my sheep” - the directions here can be confusing to modern day Christians. We see Jesus and one of His best friends having an intimate conversation. This conversation is recorded because the very instructions that Jesus is giving to Peter, are written down for us to follow as well.
The directions to “feed my sheep” simply tell us to care for His sheep. This raises two questions:
Who are the sheep?
What do we feed them?
Jesus is known as the “Good Shepherd” and in John 10, we see Jesus define His sheep as those who know His voice. And in terms of “feeding” them, Jesus is telling us to care for those who know His voice. If we think about sheep in the literal sense, they do not know how to care for themselves. They rely on the shepherd to direct, protect, provide. Jesus is calling us to do these things for those who love Him and recognize Him as the Good Shepherd.
CHALLENGE
Next week we will begin to discuss the last aspect of the Red Letter Way: Going.
Jesus gives us a very clear and simple direction to help get us started. Go and care for those in your church, in your small groups, and in your families.
Feeding the sheep could look like this:
Send an encouraging text to someone.
Pray with someone in your life.
Invite someone to coffee this week.
Accept an invitation to spend time with someone.
Here’s the cool thing, when they ask you why you’re doing what you are doing, you get to share with them this simple statement: “I’m just trying to feed Jesus’ sheep like He asked us to do in John 21, I’m walking out the Red Letter Way.”