At Galilee
This was the place Jesus started his ministry. As he walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw fishermen casting their nets. Jesus called out to these men and gave them a new calling in life – to be fishers of men.
Jesus didn’t stay by the lake but went deep inside Galilee to meet his people. People who needed healing, religious people, and people who were desperate for a Saviour. He called out to them, and he was also called for.
He went up mountains to sit with His Father and sit with his people. He crossed the lake with his disciples. He performed miracle after miracle.
There was no one who did not know about this Jesus. This man of power and authority was unlike anyone they had expected. This God humbly served and loved in countercultural ways.
“I’m going out to fish,”
Peter told the other disciples. I wonder when the last time was these disciples went fishing.
For the last few years, Jesus had called them to be fishers of men. They had indeed got into a boat to cross the lake for ministry, but they didn’t need to fish because Jesus was their provider. From a few fish, a meal was provided for thousands.
So why did the disciples return to the Sea of Galilee after Jesus’ resurrection?
Perhaps the disciples wanted a sense of control over their lives after a rollercoaster of recent events. Fishing was all they knew before they had met Jesus. How were they supposed to keep living now that Jesus was no longer with them?
Or maybe they remembered Jesus would meet them in Galilee. A nostalgic experience as they reminisced about Jesus changing their lives.
A renewed calling: feed my sheep
It is no irony that Jesus called fishermen to be fishers of men. This imagery made sense to them. When Jesus reappeared to them at the Sea of Galilee, he reminded them he was truly alive and he was still in control. Jesus knew where the fish were.
Jesus, through his death and resurrection, proved once again to the disciples that he was the good shepherd. And now he asks Peter to feed his sheep and take care of them.
Peter’s calling was renewed from being a fisherman to being a shepherd. Jesus wanted Peter to keep following his example and lead his people.
What comes after Easter?
We have reflected on the death of Jesus for our sins and celebrated that he is alive today. How do we live our lives between now and next Easter?
We may feel like Peter as we remember our depravity in putting ourselves first over Jesus. And while we are grateful for Jesus’ transforming grace, we wonder if we can really move forward.
Yes, we can, because just like Jesus reinstated Peter that morning, he can restore us too.
Or what if we have met Jesus face to face this Easter and realised afresh he is the one we want to commit to for the rest of our lives? Like after attending a mission trip or Christian camp, we live in this honeymoon period with passion and purpose.
We need to keep meeting Jesus face to face and persistently carry out his calling on our lives. This is what living with Jesus is like.
Jesus meets us.
Jesus continues to meet us right where we are. Like from the beginning, he was not looking for sinless and perfect people. Jesus did not require Peter or us to be victorious over sin and death foranyone to enter God’s kingdom.
Jesus has won that battle for us.
Jesus promises to meet us in Galilee, a sign of his presence and return. He longs for us to walk towards him, even if we are hurting and confused. Jesus has called us on a journey of faith. He will meet us there even though he is not with us now.
Find your ‘Galilee’ and meet him there.
Stephanie enjoys simple living, admiring nature’s beauty and intricacy, and playing the piano. She is particularly passionate about empowering the vulnerable. Writing is her way of processing thoughts and feelings to understand herself, God and the world in a deeper and more meaningful way.