Follow the Risen Christ

by: Jill Ver Steeg

After his resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberius. For Simon Peter, the one who stood in the courtyard denying Jesus, life is different now. Everything he knew fell apart at the cross and so Peter goes back to what makes the most sense: fishing. Fishing, after all, is what Peter does best.

Unfortunately for Peter, “Plan B” is not working. The other disciples follow his lead, but on this particular night they catch nothing. Jesus suddenly appears on the shore and the disciples do not know that it is Jesus. He instructs Peter to cast his net on the other side. Press pause. Who is this stranger, this non-fisherman, giving us fishing directions? The disciples throw the nets on the other side. A single act of faith. The catch is so enormous the nets break. Peter sees the boats are sinking and the reinforcements are called in. Now recognizing Jesus, Peter says, “It is the Lord!”

Peter and the disciples acted out of obedience and the results are astonishing. We live in a world where a resurrection has taken place. The living Lord calls us to fish for the world and to care for his church. To what specific task is the risen Christ calling you from the shores of your life?