John 21:1-19
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 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. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to 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 there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection
He came in such a quiet way that day. He walked on the beach and gathered from the fringes some old dry wood that had been setting along the shore of the lake for a long time. Wood that had washed up long ago and set and dried in the heat of the sun for months. It wasn't much wood.
He was so quiet. He lit the wood and I sprang to life. I provided the warmth he needed for this early morning. He spent an hour or so talking to his Father during this predawn time. He was intense in his prayer and quiet time. I warmed him with my heat and he bowed on his knees and prayed. There were long times of silence. Then that was over. He had brought with him some bread and somehow he got some fish and began to cook. My heat not only warmed this man but now my heat warmed and cooked the fish.
Then I heard him shout out to a boat out on the lake. After he shouted there was a brief moment in time until a man came running ashore from the boat. He ran to him and hugged him like I've never seen a hug before. Then the rest of the men drug a huge net full of fish to shore.
That's when things really changed for me. Up to this time I provided heat and helped cook, or so I thought. This man, who I discovered through conversation was named Jesus. It was his hands and some wood that brought me to life. There was something more going on here that just some fuel, some air, and a source of ignition. It was as if I had a purpose greater than heating and cooking. I was created from the hand of this Jesus. I was brought to life for a greater purpose.
As Jesus spoke with a man named Peter, I could feel my energy moving from the hands of Jesus action of my ignition through the voice of Jesus and into this man named Peter. I was becoming a flame inside of this man named Peter that would never ever ever go out. This wasn't something that I was doing. This was something being done in and through me for the sake of all the world.
What a wonderful purpose I now had. A purpose beyond just heating and cooking. A purpose given to me by Jesus. A purpose that would go out from me and multiply to many many people throughout all time. It wouldn't be that many days later when I would multiply this purpose and spread like small tongues of fire to so many people. Each of these people would discover a greater purpose in their lives as well. A purpose that would set the world on fire with the passion and love of this man Jesus.
He came in such a quiet way that day. He walked on the beach and gathered from the fringes some old dry wood that had been setting along the shore of the lake for a long time. Yes, this Jesus came to me and he comes to you. This Jesus will place a fire of love, forgiveness, compassion, strength and salvation, deep inside. A fire that will not be put out. All in such a quiet way through some wood gathered with his own hands all for you.
Prayer
Lord; thanks for the fire. Thanks for the warmth it brings. May your fire of love spread from me into the world this day that all may know your glory... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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