John 21:1-8
21: After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
Reflection
Just as the apostle Paul would continue to make tents, so the apostles who preceded him continued to be fishermen (John 21:3). Whatever our vocation, Jesus meets us there, but he doesn’t leave what we do untouched. Fishers of fish are also called to be fishers of men (Matt. 4:19), and both require the help of Jesus. Peter hauled 153 fish ashore (John 21:11) only because Jesus filled the nets. Peter would see 3,000 conversions on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41) only because Jesus is filling his church. Without him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
1 Peter 2:9-12
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Reflection
Peter refers to the church in the same way the Old Testament referred to Israel: “a royal priesthood” and “a holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9; Ex. 19:5–6). This indicates that all people, Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles), who find their identity in Christ are now considered the true Israel (cf. Rom. 9:6; 11:25; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11).
Now that the church is launched and growing through the gospel, Peter urges us to live in a way that demonstrates the excellencies of the God who has saved us (1 Pet. 2:10–12). In verses 9–12, Peter reminds Christians that holiness means not just being set apart from something (sin and its worldly systems) but being set apart for something (God’s glory). When we truly experience God’s “mercy” (v. 10), it always leads to a new kind of “conduct” (v. 12).
Psalm 150:2
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Being a Christian means that we are called to proclaim the excellencies of our Savior (1 Pet. 2:9). Ask God how he wants to use your life and words to proclaim his greatness to others this week.