Scripture Scribbles: May 4, 2025

the Gospel

John 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

He revealed himself in this way.

Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,

Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,

Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, ""I am going fishing.""

They said to him, ""We also will come with you.""

So they went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, ""Children, have you caught anything to eat?""

They answered him, ""No.""

So he said to them, ""Cast the net over the right side of the boat

and you will find something.""

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in

because of the number of fish.

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ""It is the Lord.""

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,

he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,

and jumped into the sea.

The other disciples came in the boat,

for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,

dragging the net with the fish.

When they climbed out on shore,

they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

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

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore

full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.

Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, ""Come, have breakfast.""

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ""Who are you?""

because they realized it was the Lord.

Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,

and in like manner the fish.

This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples

after being raised from the dead.

the scribble

I have always loved mornings.

And breakfast.

And the sea.

So, in a special way since my conversion, I’ve felt that this Scripture was especially for me. My heart glows in a unique way each time I read these words from today’s Gospel.

I can feel the wet, soggy fishing nets in my hands. The cold, restless water lapping up over the edges of the boat.

I can so easily feel the guilt, shame, and sunken nature of Peter’s heart. Filled with remorse over his last meeting with Jesus. I imagine him playing it back over and over again in his mind: Denying him three times. The shrieking of the crow. Jesus, seeing it. Naming it aloud, in case there was any missing this harsh and cowardly betrayal.

I can sense his frustration. Casting the net over the side of the boat again and again overnight. I picture him doing it with intense aggression. Getting more angry with each haul. As if the harder the net hits, the deeper the punishment for his own lack of fortitude and faith. Punishing himself for the fumble, knowing there was no way God would forgive him for his mistakes. And the stinging realization that now it was too late to make it right. Jesus was gone. There was nothing he could do. I imagine the last shreds of hope were floating out to sea along with the current that night. Each empty net a reminder of their devastating loss.

Then, I can so vividly picture the quiet, bright morning sun of dawn.

Slowly creeping its way over the distant shoreline, filling the sky with brilliant purples, sun-soaked golds, and bright, streaky pinks.

I bet this morning was among the most striking sunrises there have ever been.

I can see Jesus’s gentle smile, His soft, happy eyes, filled with joy and expectant delight, as He watches his companions from the shore. I can sense His love for these men, radiating out from within Him as He calls out to them, asking if they have caught anything to eat.

I watch, laughing gently along with Him, as the realization hits them and Peter jumps out of the boat, rushing to get to Jesus’s side. My heart melts at the tender gesture of Christ, as He utters one of my all time favorite Scripture verses, “Come, have breakfast” (John 21:12).

I recently saw a post that shared, “New mercies every morning. Because of one morning.” I feel like this scene depicts Christ’s incredible mercy so delicately, so vividly, so genuinely.

It is a new dawn for Peter.

Christ asks him three times to profess his love for Him, dumping the last shovels of dirt on the grave of Peter’s shame. In this profession, He pours out His forgiveness and mercy onto Peter. In the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the fish that morning over the new charcoal fire by the shore, Jesus offers Peter a new beginning. A reset. A mini, personal resurrection, of sorts. A fresh set of mercy and grace. A clean slate. A personal invitation to walk with Him, yet again.

Because Peter had it wrong. Jesus is not gone. And His mercies are new every morning.

As I sit with the Gospel this week, I am struck by Christ’s tender heart for each one of us. I imagine Him calling out to me from the deep, cold sea of my heart. All the places I’ve given up hope. All the places I am punishing myself for love lost or mistakes made.

I hear Him asking me to come join Him for breakfast.
Extending a hand of mercy, a fresh invitation to start anew.

Let today be a new dawn in your heart, too, friend.

This Easter season, let the mercy of Christ wash over you.
Soak in His sun-drenched morning and come sit by the new charcoal fire of life, burning with love and mercy for y o u.

Today’s devotion was written by Rachel Smith