Our Saviour’s love provides and restores.
Written by
Under the fig tree
Jesus loves me, even in my failures
Enjoying a peak in our faith now does not mean we’re perfect.
Those who once stood firm now find themselves kneeling in need of grace.
The disciples’ faith faltered when Jesus was crucified.
Directionless, they fell into the soothing rhythms of fishing in the sea, a habit they’d once forsaken to follow Christ; a habit dug up from its grave, perhaps for solace and purpose while they thought their King lay dead.
But Jesus comes gently. He meets them in their failures to fish for people and fish.
Jesus does something curious. He brings fish and breakfast. Not with rebuke, but with grace and compassion.
By obeying Jesus’ instruction, their empty fishing nets overflow in abundance after a fruitless night—a miraculous catch of 153 large fish in an unbroken net (John 21:6).
This miracle harks back to the first miraculous catch (Luke 5:4-10) when Jesus had called them to become fishers of men. It’s a quiet pinprick on their hearts: Are you not fishers of men?
The disciples have just witnessed the extent to which people would go to put an end to Jesus’ gospel. You mean, this is what Jesus wants me to face?
But Jesus’ message casts aside their worries. Obey your calling, for I accept you. My grace is sufficient for you in your weakness. I will provide.
Jesus loves all of me
Sometimes, we think that Jesus only cares about our faith.
But here, He sees more than just their spiritual fatigue.
Knowing they have toiled all night without success, He doesn’t ignore their hunger or exhaustion. He meets their physical needs with a warm breakfast.
Children, have you any breakfast?
One time, after helping out at one of our church’s Bible camps, I returned to work spiritually nourished but physically exhausted and hungry, for I hadn’t eaten for the day.
How Jesus saw His disciples’ physical needs in this chapter encouraged me. I exchanged a few texts with a friend about Jesus humbling Himself to make breakfast for them, and how Jesus saw our efforts to serve Him.
Shortly after, someone at work came around to distribute… breakfast.
It felt like Jesus was participating in our conversation! He saw my physical needs, and through my workplace, provided for me. I was touched.
Conclusion
Jesus offers us compassion and strength to carry on.
He knows that enduring a valley in our faith now doesn’t mean it’s the end.
He knows our bodies have limits.
In what weaknesses of yours can God’s power be made perfect?