“Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Peter said, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
“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, ‘No.’ He said, ‘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!’ When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were… about a hundred yards off.
“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:2-14
One of the ways Jesus revealed himself to his dumbfounded disciples after the resurrection was to bring to mind His previous interactions with them. They had participated in the feeding of the 5000, the 4000, and most recently, the intimate last supper. Here He entered their everyday world and reminded them in an ordinary yet spectacular meal that He was their ongoing companion and provision. Going forward, they could live with expectant faith energized by the soul nourishment He would give. (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39; 26:17-30)
Although we do not always recognize it is He who’s at work, the Lord involves Himself in our daily lives to test our faith and confidence in His supernatural ability and power to perform His Word. He appears and provides; we participate and are blessed and nourished through obedience: taking, eating, and distributing. (Exodus 16:2-21; John 6:3-14)
How keen are we to recognize the ways Jesus appears and provides in our ordinary- through individuals, circumstances, small miracles? When do we partake of Him and then trust Him to abide as we go about responsibilities? What regular, meaningful time do we invest to dine on heavenly provision from His word, prayer, communion, and Christian fellowship? His manna and living water always feed, heal, satisfy, and multiply strength and fruitfulness. (Revelation 22:1-2)
Where are we casting nets? Who at home, work, or in our community hungers for more than the world offers? When are we extending hospitality to welcome the needy, sharing the bread of truth and living water? (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2; John 4:14; 7:38; Romans 12:13)
Lord, keep me ever eager to dine with You and share Your goodness with the needy around me.
As the rain and snow 