TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
Please read John 21:1–25
“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.”
John 21:4
DEVOTIONAL
by Stephanie Reloj
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples multiple times, each encounter filled with profound meaning and purpose. In John 21, we see a narrative where Jesus reveals His power and provision to His struggling disciples. Peter decides to go fishing, and several disciples join him, returning to what they know best. They fish all night but catch nothing—a scenario that would resonate deeply with any seasoned fisherman. This empty net, however, was a divine setup for a miraculous revelation.
At dawn, Jesus stands on the shore, unrecognized by the disciples. He asks if they have any fish, knowing they don’t. When they answer “No,” He instructs them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. This seemingly ordinary command leads to extraordinary results: a net so full of fish that they struggle to haul it in.
In this moment of abundance, John recognizes the Lord, and Peter impulsively jumps into the water to reach Jesus. The miraculous fish catch reveals Jesus’ power, provision, and presence in His disciples’ everyday struggles and endeavors. With this, we can apply some biblical truths in our lives:
Jesus Meets Us in Our Daily Life. Just as Jesus met His disciples in their fishing, He met us in our daily routines and struggles. He knows our frustrations and disappointments and comes to us with grace and provision. When we are weary and feel like our efforts are fruitless, Jesus is there, ready to turn our emptiness into abundance.
Recognize Jesus’ Presence. Like the disciples, we often fail to recognize Jesus in our midst. It’s easy to get caught up in the tasks at hand and miss the divine presence walking alongside us. This passage encourages us to be attentive and open to Jesus revealing Himself in unexpected ways.
Obedience Brings Blessing. The disciples’ willingness to follow Jesus’ instruction, even when it seemed futile, led to an overwhelming blessing. This teaches us the importance of
obedience to God’s word. Even when we don’t understand His ways, trust and obedience open the door to His miraculous work in our lives.
Jesus Provides Abundantly. The net breaking with the weight of the fish is a testament to Jesus’ abundant provision. He doesn’t just meet our needs; He exceeds them. This abundance is a reflection of His generous heart and His desire to bless us beyond measure.
REFLECTION
In what areas of your life do you feel like you have been “fishing all night” with no success? How can you be more attentive to recognizing Jesus’ presence in your daily activities? As we go about our week, let’s keep our eyes open for the ways Jesus reveals Himself to us, trusting that His power and provision are always at work, even in the ordinary moments of our lives.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us in our everyday lives. Help us to recognize Your presence even when we are tired and our efforts seem in vain. Teach us to listen to Your voiced and obey Your instructions, trusting that Your plans for us are good. Fill our lives with Your abundant provision and reveal Your power in our weaknesses. May we, like Peter, be eager to come to You, knowing that You are our provider and sustainer. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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