Re:Verse passage – John 21:1-14 (day two) This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. Vs. 14
I love this story. It is so earthy and full of imagery. The disciples fishing, up all night. Jesus at the shore with a fire ready for breakfast fish…which is still weird to me. What struck me as I re-read the passage this morning was that we don’t ever hear how these encounters end. This is the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples, and you might think that once he appeared that would cling to him and not let him out of their sight. Clearly, that is not what happened. We have studied three distinct appearances of the savior, and at some point he goes away, and for several days at a time. It isn’t too much to read into this narrative that Jesus was preparing them, yet again, for a time when he would not be physically with them. He is sort of weaning them from their dependency on his human form. As he would ultimately ascend with the promise of the arrival of the Holy Spirit, he was preparing them for their next assignment. In our own walk there may be good things to which we cling too tightly. If our call is to go and tell, are we letting other church routines get in the way. Jesus knew his disciples needed to be coaxed forward. He knows you too.
