Most of us long for miracles.  And Jesus’ perfect life, death on sinners’ behalf as the fulfillment of Passover, and His physical resurrection prove that He is willing and able to meet our greatest needs:  complete forgiveness and a new heart to follow Him as our living King.  But even in the Bible, most of the journey with Jesus is lived in the moments between miracles.  In this 50-day series, we’ll consider some of those moments leading up to the next great miracle in the New Testament:  the fulfillment of Pentecost and the incredible growth of the Church.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, each of us have challenges in our journey with Jesus.  At the end of John 20, the Lord seems to have appeared to a group of the disciples but primarily to encourage Thomas.  And we can be glad that He did, for all of us have doubts at times.  But what about Peter.  Peter had denied even knowing Him three times just before the Romans beat Him mercilessly and crucified Him with criminals.  What about Peter’s guilt and shame before the Lord and his peers?

That’s where John 21 opens.

The passage is not absolutely clear why Peter had gone fishing, but his statement to the other disciples sure sounds like “I’m going back to what I know:  fishing.”  Guilt and shame can prompt us to retreat and hide, just as Adam and Eve did in the garden after they had disobeyed the Lord’s only prohibition.  But we need to see that the Lord doesn’t only seek out those with weak faith, like Thomas.  He seeks those with weak flesh, like Peter.

We’ll talk much more about this time of Peter with the Lord over the next few days.  For now, just be encouraged:  Jesus came to seek the lost.  He finds them, rescues them, and continues to bring them back into the fold so we will have full assurance of His love and live boldly for the One who loves us so richly.

I hope today’s thought and others in this series will be helpful to you as you journey with Jesus in the moments between miracles.

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