Good Morning Rehoboth,

I apologize again that this rambling is getting to you so late, but I was finishing up my semester Monday morning taking a test, and Tuesday Rachel and I were making our way to the beach for a couple of days of peace and quiet. I am currently sitting on the porch of the tiny home we rented with a diet coke thinking about our text for this week. Over the last couple of weeks, we have been encountering the risen Lord. On Easter, Christ was encountered when he said Mary’s name. Last week we encountered Jesus by touching his nail-scarred hands. This week we have another encounter. This week’s encounter is in the midst of abundance. The disciples are out fishing again, in much the same way they were fishing when they were first called by Jesus. They again stink at their job. It makes me wonder what things do we chase after that we aren’t very good at. The disciples may be fishermen, but every time we see them fishing they are coming up empty-handed. It makes me wonder how many times I have done something that would bring me fulfillment and satisfaction but came up with empty nets. I think we all do it, but what does it say about us when we keep going back to that same source of disappointment trying to find fulfillment. I don’t know if that’s what is happening with the disciples, but it does make me wonder why they are back to fishing? Did they not get the message that they are sent out? Did they feel inadequate? Or is this a message about what it means to be a disciple? We meet and encounter Jesus not always in prayer in church or the studying of scripture, but most often we meet Jesus when we are just trying to live our lives. When we are trying to put food on the table. Or maybe closer to the text we encounter Jesus amid our deficiencies. We meet Jesus when we are lacking. I think the encounter this week is an encounter with the abundance of Jesus. Where the disciples have nothing, Jesus has more than enough. When we feel as if we have nothing, are nothing, and have nothing to give, Jesus shows up on the shore and says to try one more time. He provides us with an abundance. Not an abundance of possessions but an abundance of grace. This passage has so much, but I think we have to look at what does it mean that we have a God of abundant grace. A grace that keeps coming to fill us up. When have you experienced an abundant grace? Maybe this Sunday I will tell stories of when I have experienced abundant grace. The last thing that I love about this passage is that no one wants to say a word when they are eating with Jesus. Have you ever felt the presence of Jesus so strongly you don’t have to name it because you know it was him? I love the thought that the presence of Jesus was so personal they didn’t want to break the moment with words. Maybe that’s a lesson for us. We don’t need to talk and convince people of Jesus; his abundance will prove his resurrection. Maybe we should just sit around eat breakfast and let the abundance speak for itself. 

I don’t know if any of that makes sense, but that’s where my mind is at this morning as I get ready to stand on the shore of the ocean and imagine Jesus calling out to the boats on the horizon. Let me know what you are thinking about. I truly mean it, I would love to hear how this scripture speaks to you this morning. Let us make this preaching moment a work of the people. Thank you for letting me ramble even if it’s a little late.

Grace and Peace,

Lee Miller