Saturday, April 14, 2007
John 21:3-6 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
THE FACTS OF THE RESURRECTION -- THE CONFIRMATION OF THE DISCIPLES
On Easter Sunday morning Jesus told the women to send the disciples to Galilee where Jesus would appear to them. Now that the feast was over the disciples had returned to their homes in Galilee and were waiting for Jesus to appear to them. But Simon grows impatient of waiting and decides to go fishing.
They had fished all night and caught nothing. Here, early in the morning, Jesus appears to them by the Sea of Galilee and tells them to cast out their nets again, and when they do, they catch a multitude of fish.
It was the very same miracle Jesus had performed at the beginning of His ministry. Seeing the great catch of fish, John said to Peter "It is the Lord!" The same Jesus who had walked the earth and had done great miracles, was alive! The resurrection of Jesus was confirmed for the disciples and is confirmed for us. Jesus lives! This shall be my confidence!
Jesus lives! To Him the throne
High o'er heaven and earth is given.
I shall go where He has gone,
Live and reign with Him in heaven.
God is faithful. Doubtings, hence!
This shall be my confidence.
Jesus lives! And now is death
But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense,
Jesus is my confidence!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 201:2, 5)
