The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – John 21:1-19 (day five) What could have been an overwhelmingly impossible circumstance, becomes a moment of restoration and redirection. For Peter there was the potential for every morning for the rest of his life to be a reminder of failure and sin. Crowing roosters (which never left the region) were most likely a daily alarm of his past. Probably crowing on this morning as well. Jesus had a “charcoal fire” going on shore. Only other time those Greek words were used, were to describe the fire burning when Peter denies Jesus (John 18).

What Jesus teaches Peter (and us) is, that a failed believer isn’t a finished believer. When Jesus has our hearts (our love and desire for Him more than anything else we want or need), He then assigns mission and ministry. He will use our past to remind and direct us to the path (through confession and repentance) where we can live at peace with Him, in joyful obedience, and with the strength and courage of His daily presence.

Re:Verse passage – John 21:1-19 (day three)

“None of the disciples ventured to question him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.”

One might capture the disciples’ experience with this question: how is this even happening right now? They were grappling with the dawning of this long-promised age of history. Once, dead people stayed dead. Now, they no longer do. What was once impossible is now possible. If Jesus — publicly condemned, sentenced, and executed — now lives and breathes, what else that was hopeless now has hope? Indeed, what good thing is ever beyond reach again? It has taken 2000 years to take it all in, and even now it seems unreal sometimes. But 2000 years has also shown that this gospel will not fade. You really can count on this good news.

Re:Verse passage – John 21:1-19 (day two) 

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. v. 3

This post-resurrection encounter with Jesus has so many facets that are so instructive. This is one of those weeks that it is difficult to pick where to focus. One element that struck me upon re-reading the text was this line in verse 3. I’m not a fisherman, I don’t get the appeal. Please don’t judge too harshly. I do know that part of fishing is expecting to come home empty-handed. This time feels different to me. When you think that Jesus called most of these men from careers as fishermen, they knew their craft. What strikes me is that what used to be a source of fulfillment to these men no longer worked. They used to make money in this manner, they were able to feed their families in this way, but because of Jesus the things that used to fill our nets no longer will do. I don’t think they lost the ability to fish, but the empty nets certainly signify a void when we try to fill our lives with the things from our past. Once Jesus fills you, nothing else will do. This object lesson would have a profound impact on these men after Jesus ascended. Even the things that used to satisfy must be surrendered to Jesus.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:36:-43; John 20:26-29 (day seven)

And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Luke 24:38

Why do you doubt? It can be easy for us to try to pile it on the disciples. I often want to shout through the pages, “How can YOU be doubting? You walked with Him for years! Were you not watching? Were you not listening?” Yet, if I am honest, they had more reason to doubt than I do. They watched Him die. They were still expecting a political messiah. They did watch and did know He had the power to overcome death, so I’m sure they expected Him to stop the crucifixion. Also, can you imagine the emotions that they were going through? Anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, depression, and compound that with sleeplessness. They had reason to doubt.

This should be an encouragement to us. Jesus helped them process their doubts. Doubting is natural and expected in our faith journey. Even the people closest to Jesus doubted who He was, but because they had encountered the risen Messiah, He brought them back. You probably have had moments where you had doubts, questions, or concerns in your faith. Jesus is always faithful to help you process your doubts, but have to be open to Encounter Christ in the midst of your doubt. He will show you who He really is!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:36:-43; John 20:26-29 (day six)

 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,^[f] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of all these things. Luke 24:47-48

Your faith is personal — but it was never meant to be private.

The beauty of this resurrection encounter is Jesus’ nearness in the midst of fear and doubt. He even invites the disciples to touch him, to move them from uncertainty to belief. As Megan wrote, “Jesus is both our friend and good shepherd.”

But then notice: right after Jesus comforts and reassures, he commissions.

“You are witnesses of these things.”

That’s the movement of the gospel — from personal encounter to public witness.

Faith in Jesus is meant to go public. It’s not just a private assurance; it’s a Kingdom identity. It reshapes who we are in the world.

We are the presence and the proclamation of God’s Kingdom — by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s reclaim that public identity. Let’s live it out loud.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:36:-43; John 20:26-29 (day five)  

Thomas was missing (at Jesus’ appearance to the disciples). John points this out in 20:24. Do you wonder why?  Was the grief and sense of loss and defeat more than he could bear?  Perhaps. Was he scared and in hiding? Maybe, but my opinion is NO. Remember in John 11, Thomas was willing (leading the charge) to go back to Judea and die with Jesus. I think it was more of the former. Often times our reaction to grief, pain, trauma, or distress is to withdraw.  Be alone.  Circle the wagons, so to speak. In Thomas’ case it was counterproductive.

It can also be said that “Thomas missed out.” He missed seeing Jesus. Maybe a couple of possible applications:  1) When we are with other believers we often sense the strength and encouragement of Christ in and through them. DON’T MISS OUT.  2) When there are folks missing (maybe for the reasons listed previously), our joyful task is to reach out and bring/welcome them back into our groups and gatherings. We get to extend and express the love and strength of Christ (isn’t that cool).  (See Hebrews 10:24-25) Will you be in your place with your group, class, body?  Will you reach out and draw others back, to see and experience Christ at work through your group, class, or body?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 24:36:-43; John 20:26-29 (day four)

Jesus desires a relationship with us. Those of us who have been in the church for many years know this well and might even take that truth for granted. We sing songs that tell us “what a friend we have in Jesus,” and that he “walks with me and talks with me.” But stop for a moment to consider how significant it is that the God of the universe desires intimate friendship with us.

Jesus lovingly developed friendships with the disciples during his ministry, and these friendships were on the top of his mind after his resurrection. He tended to them with gentleness and patience as they processed the reality of the resurrection. He lingered with them, making sure they understood that it was truly him, the same friend they had walked with for three years. And when Thomas was absent for the first appearance to the gathered disciples, Jesus returns, just for Thomas, not wanting to leave any of his friends in the dark. Jesus could have moved on, trusting the disciples would convince Thomas to believe. But Jesus is both our Friend and our Good Shepherd. He came back, just for Thomas, to bring him into resurrection joy.

We share this same friendship with Jesus. He lovingly tends to us in our doubt, shame, fear, and unbelief. He leaves the ninety-nine to minister to the one. He comes for us just as he came for Thomas, with the purest love we could ever know. What a friend we have in Jesus.