Jesus after His resurrection went searching for His disciples who deserted Him at the time of crucifixion and death on the cross. Jesus found them on a seashore returning after a fishing expedition. They did not get any fish. In the narration of this incident, in the gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible Chapter 21:1-11, we find Jesus saying to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you"! The greeting word, children, is endearing !
I sense a Fatherly heart of Jesus in the way Jesus greeted the disciples at that time, when they were exhausted and discouraged. Even after the resurrection of Jesus the disciples went back to their earlier profession.
Jesus came to the shore seeking after His disciples who failed Jesus after having been with Him for three and half years. Jesus guided them to cast the net on the right side. They had a catch of 153 fish. The disciples were treated with bread and fish at breakfast when they returned from the second round of fishing!
Failure is a common experience in our lives. The way Jesus befriended and cared for His disciples who failed Him, is a window into the nature of God, in His approach towards those who go through failed experiences or memories of them in life!
Jesus restored the purpose for which Jesus had initially called them to follow Him. In the conversation with them, particularly with Peter, Jesus restored a purpose for their lives from then onwards.(v 12-17).
This babe of Bethlehem, whose birth we remember today, is a 'father to all those who fail'!
Christmas season is not a just a celebration time alone, but a time to feel restored in life! Jesus of Nazareth befriends us with a fatherly heart of love and compassion and leads us to a life of purpose and direction!
The photo above of a cluster of Lilies in our garden brought me glad tidings of hope, peace and goodwill of Christmas, reminding me that Jesus is fatherly towards all those who live with feelings of failure!
We read about baby Jesus, as one 'who kept increasing in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man' (Luke 2:52).
It was this acquired wisdom at display, when Jesus went seeking after the disciples to restore a purpose in their lives. The deserted disciples were not abandoned, but restored!
The Christmas story is about a loving God who is present with us to redeem and restore us to fullness of life and purpose!
We live in an illuminated world of information, technology and global connection.
But interior darkness in human soul still prevails. The light within is what shall dispel the interior darkness! That light is dim and flickering in many!
We receive interior light as we become open with a prayer:
'Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom;
O lead me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
O lead me on!
Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step enough for me...'
( John Henry Newman 1833, a poem he wrote while sailing when the sea was rough. On safe return to the UK, he started the Oxford Movement for spiritual renewal)
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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