Jesus Will Meet Us Where We Are: Thinking their ministry days were over, the fishermen went back to what they knew, fishing; but they caught nothing all night. In the depth of their  discouragement they hear a call from the shore, “Try the other side.” Abundance. And who is that on the shore, standing by the charcoal fire he made in anticipation of the fish?

John’s account of Jesus’ resurrection appearance on the shore should evoke a deep gratitude in us for Christ’s persistent willingness to offer restoration. Jesus’ gentle questioning of Peter after Peter’s painful denial feels profoundly personal, revealing a Savior who meets us exactly in the spaces of our greatest regret and vulnerability. The threefold repetition of “Do you love me?” not only reinstates Peter but also provides him with clear direction—“Feed my sheep.” This narrative is an encouraging reminder that restoration and forgiveness lead directly into mission and responsibility.

The point is that Jesus loves us enough to meet us where we are and keeps walking with us. Jesus knows that the agape love with which God holds together the universe is more than enough to go around; it can make up for our deficiencies in love. As we walk with Jesus and our hearts grow more open, God’s agape love will come pouring in, until we are so full that it begins to flow through us and out into the world.  This is the abundant life that Jesus wants for us: will we follow Him into it?

Given this vision of universal redemption, what practical actions might you take to align your daily life more closely with God’s redemptive purposes?

Prayer: O Holy and righteous God, you raised Christ from the dead and glorified Him at your right hand. Let the words of scripture, fulfilled in Jesus your Son, burn within our hearts and open our minds to recognize him in the breaking of bread. Amen.