May 4, 2025

Today's Reading: John 21:1-14 (15-19)

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:15-35; Luke 6:39-49

“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ 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. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” (John 21:4-7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

This resurrection appearance of Jesus always seems a little wonderfully odd to me in how it is so outwardly ordinary while the circumstances are the most extraordinary in human history. Jesus has already appeared to His disciples once, but this time, he appears a second time to have breakfast with them; it doesn’t get more ordinary than gathering your friends for breakfast. Really, there’s nothing here to tell you this is the Son of God standing victorious over sin and death; he could be anyone waiting for his friends to come ashore. It’s so ordinary that the disciples do not recognize Jesus at first, which could simply be a combination of distance and light, or there could be a bit more to it, but they do realize it’s Him when they’re asked to drop their nets on the other side and catch a great haul of fish. This is a call back to Luke 5, where Jesus tells them to drop their nets on the other side after they’ve been fishing all night and are exhausted but catch such a great haul their nets end up breaking. This time, their nets don’t break, and they are so delighted to see the Lord that Peter jumps in the water after him. Can you picture it? Peter, who denied our Lord at His death, is so overwhelmed with delight at seeing Him that he jumped out of the boat after Him. A few days ago, these disciples suffered a devasting loss as their Lord was crucified, and yet all things are made new as they feast together over the haul of fish the Lord has provided. Here, Jesus comforts them not just in their souls with His presence but also in their bodies with a feast. Jesus’ care and nourishment for you continues today, not in a direct command for a catch of fish, but in pastors. He’s given you to forgive your sins and neighbors who serve in their vocations to provide for your bodily needs. Thanks be to God for the endless Gifts He provides and will provide, even when it seems we are in the depths of woe. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter)

- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary Services

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.