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.