April 15
JOHN 21
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.
– John 21:1-8
JOHN 21 LOST IN GRIEF
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
After their Lord was gone in their lives
The disciples were lost in grief
Their purposes were now confusing
They went back to their old work of fishing.
When we lost a loved one, it is hard to go on with the life we used to live when they were still with us. Losing someone or something disrupts our routine and makes us confused or lost. The account here shows how the disciples didn’t know what to do next after Jesus died on the cross. So, they tried to go back to the way it was before Jesus called them to his ministry. As they were fishing, they couldn’t find the motivation to do their usual work at catching fish. There was nothing to catch.
This account shows how Jesus cares for the work we do. He blessed them with a big catch knowing how lost and grieving they were. He was reminding them that he was with them especially in the midst of their grief and confusion.
REFLECTION
• Share a time when you felt very lost when you have lost someone or something.
