St Helen

Reflection from Jon Ellis

John 21

1 Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

3 "I’m going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We’ll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven t you any fish?" "No," they answered.

6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. (NIV)

REFLECTION

Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.

He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

How often do we not recognise Jesus’ hand in advice we are given? That’s what Christian friends are for! People we can trust and know that they will give us only positive advice. The encouraging words that keep us going every day, especially when life is tough. The fishermen were toiling away and catching nothing, until they heard Jesus’ voice telling they were looking the wrong way.

That can happen when we are looking the wrong way. The wrong side of the boat. Finding nothing and wondering why life is not going as well as we would like. That’s when we need to pray more and seek what God wants us to be doing, rather than what we think we should.

The fishermen were using the side of the boat they always did. We can get caught into doing the things we always do without realising there is a better way. I am keen on pomp and ceremony, but I do have a problem with rituals that seem to have no purpose.

So often, our life is full of busy-ness. Maybe instead of looking only one side of the boat, doing what we have always done, just because that is what we always do, it is time to reflect on why we do some things. Is there a better way, and to follow Jesus’ direction instead?

COLLECT – Easter

God of glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

St Helen

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