Weekly Meditation for August 30, 2009

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Weekly Meditation for August 30, 2009
by Rev Sue Yarber
John 21:1-4
"After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 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. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus."


I have always found it a curious thing that Jesus waited on the beach for them after an unsuccessful night of fishing. I find it even more puzzling that the disciples did not know it was him. How can that be? Are there times in our lives, perhaps times when we have struggled, and Jesus stands on the shore of our troubles, waiting and looking for us?


I can think of many times in my life when Christ was right there but I, being so consumed with my problems, missed his presence. I walked right on by and did not even notice Christ's loving care, always available and open to me. Some of these times, Christ was present through people I did not expect Christ to use to minister to me. Christ can show up wherever and whenever we need him. He can show up in people and in situations we never expected to find him in.


The disciples were fisherman. Their livelihood depended on catching fish. They lived in a community, each one being present to the others, and so they set out together on the Sea of Tiberias. Together they failed to find any fish. Defeated, tired and probably worried about their immediate future, both individually and collectively, they found their way to the shore. There Jesus waited for them.


In these tough economic times, when many households are struggling to make ends meet, let alone manage any unplanned bills, it can feel like we are living through a night like the disciples in this story. We can find comfort that in the end, when it is all said and done, Jesus is there, waiting to provide comfort and care to us. We can only find the heart of Christ in the quiet solitude on the shore, out of the hustle and bustle of the sea. May each of us take time this week to find the unexpected Christ in the midst of our struggles and daily demands.

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