Former Blackout Artist

“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.” – John 21:4

I love this verse, as it speaks to me in so many ways. The disciples had been fishing most of the night, caught nothing, and decided to cut their losses and come back in at daybreak. As they get closer to the shore, they hear a voice in the distance. “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” They yelled back to the stranger on the shore, “No.” And then came the iconic statement that would change everything. “Throw your nets out on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

We can see the look on Peter’s face and imagine his grumbling. “Gee, you know, I never thought of that. And all this time, Andrew, we’ve been throwing our nets out on the left side of the boat!” But nevertheless they did what the stranger suggested. And when they did, they hauled in an enormous catch of fish. One hundred and fifty-three fish according to John’s account. And all of them big.

It was at that moment that John recognized who the stranger was. “It is the Lord!” he said. Upon hearing it, Peter immediately jumped into the water to make his way to the shore.

It’s interesting that after they had heard that the tomb was empty, John was first to get there. But he hesitated going inside. It was Peter who eventually caught up with John at the tomb and wasted no time going inside to see for himself.

And here in another scene a day later, it is John who is first in his recognition, but it is Peter who is first in displaying his devotion.

Jesus already had a campfire going. “Come! Bring some of your fish and let’s have breakfast!” Despite having completed his mission and now resurrected, Christ was still playing the role of servant.

What an incredible account, one that has so many lessons packaged into it. But the most obvious one is that the disciples were oblivious to who the stranger was on the shore initially.

How often does that resonate with us? In our comings and goings, in our joys and sufferings, in our excitement and our boredom, in our ups and downs in life, Jesus is right here with us but sometimes we just can’t recognize him.

Seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing.