Devotions - John 21:1-14

John 21

Jesus appears to seven followers (v 1-14)

This chapter begs a question – why have the disciples gone back to fishing after Jesus has commissioned them? We would expect them to be going out and spreading the Good News, as Jesus had told them to do, but instead they have gone back to how they were before they met Jesus. However, we also have to take into consideration the fact that the disciples have just been on a roller-coaster of emotion. Jesus, not only their best friend, but their Lord and Saviour was sentenced to a horrific death on the cross, before he rose again three days later. Casual. The disciples were probably all a bit dazed, a bit overwhelmed and unable to decide what to do next. It’s understandable that they chose to return to somewhere familiar where they could reflect on what had just happened. They head back to the lake and Peter decides that he is going to go fishing, and the others follow. Everyone has to eat after all! And this is where Jesus appears to them. This is a reflection of his character.  When we are confused or stuck or overwhelmed, God comes and meets us where we are. We don’t have to put on an act or change into our Sunday best to encounter Jesus. He finds us, just as we are. It says on one commentary I read “Here is the simple truth, that when we are uncertain what to do we should simply do our duty and God will guide.”

The disciples have, up until this point, been largely unsuccessful at catching any fish. When Jesus appears, he calls to them “throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some”. This isn't a suggestion or an idea, it’s a promise. Throw your net to the other side and you will find fish. Jesus continues to make promises to us today. Follow me and I will lead you through my plan. Find refuge in me and I will give you peace. Apologise for what you've done wrong and I will forgive you. Jesus always fulfills his word and it always works out for our good.

The disciples decide to obey what Jesus has told them. They catch so many fish they can barely haul the net back into the boat. When the disciples worked alone, relying only on human strength, they came back empty handed and discouraged. But when they listened to Jesus, they received abundantly, their nets full to bursting. Their work was fruitful beyond what they could imagine. This points to a very important lesson of being a follower of Jesus – without Him, we can do nothing. Earlier in chapter 15:5, Jesus tells the people “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. We should seek God’s guidance in everything we do and carry out his work. The idea that without God, we can do nothing, might be taken a tad negatively. So if I try something alone, it will be rubbish? But remember Jesus’ promise in Matthew 19:26 “with God all things are possible.” If we work alongside God we will be able to do so much more and he will reveal things to us that we never would have discovered alone. With the promise of fruitful labour and endless possibility – why would we choose not to work with Him? Following God’s plan seems so much more exciting than remaining within our human limitations.

When the disciples reach the shore, there is already fish cooking on hot coals and bread for them to eat. Jesus has prepared breakfast for them, showing us the character of God. He is not just a big, powerful God who orders us around and shoots down lightning bolts. He is so much more, he is caring and servant-hearted (remember when he got down and washed his disciples’ feet?). He is also our provider, all we have has been given to us by God. If he cares for the birds that are worth no more than a penny, we can be sure that he cares for us abundantly. His provision is always enough. Another quote about the passage I like is “Jesus now appears to another partial gathering of the group, an appearance that reveals the same key characteristics as we manifested throughout the ministry, namely his lordship, his servant hood, his character as gracious giver of abundance and his love. He has met his disciples at a point of failure and revealed himself as the awesome Lord of creation who cares for them.” (Bible Gateway)

May Highlights

11th May

On the Sunday afternoon, the dance group at church held their annual concert. I am the newest member of the 'LT Warriors' and Anna and Kathryn also go. I was only in two dances and therefore took on the role as backstage runner! I basically ran around the whole church for about three hours, looking for dance groups and youth leaders and presenters and sound desk guys and the LT Warriors themselves! All good fun! The concert went really well and the guys are such talented dancers. We have made such great friendships within LT and are so grateful for the fellowship we can share with them.

20th May

We've come to love Tuesdays and Wednesdays as it means we go to school! Ruth Mother Care is such a lovely school and we've built up such a relationship with them. The children are truly are joy to teach. 

I spend both days in Nursery class and we're still working on phonics and blending sounds to make words. The children are very good at remembering all the actions which is encouraging!

This is Kembabazi and her younger brother Patric. Kembabazi is in Top Class and is very bright. She has surprisingly good English and always calls the other children up on speaking Luganda, "Teacher! This one is speaking vernacular!". Patric is in Baby Class and is only 2 and a half! Whenever I ask for a volunteer to come up and write on the blackboard, he always wanders over and tries to join in. When Patric first joined the school he was a bit wary of us and our white skin, but now he's settled he happily gives us cuddles and beaming smiles.

Before the children broke up for Easter Holidays, we gave out school cardigans and new shoes (I'm pretty sure I blogged about it). It's so nice seeing all of them coming to school in their new things and their feet can now stay dry when it rains!

Talking of rain... On our way home we usually walk for about 20 minutes before getting a boda boda. Anna and KJ got the accelerator-junkie boda driver and so sped off home, Jon following on a second boda. Susie and I were at the back, only about two minutes behind. We weren't far from home when it started to rain. Now Uganda does not do rain by halves, when it rains, it RAINS. The Heavens opened and we just got soaked! At one point I couldn't even open my eyes from the amount of water pouring down my face. We couldn't stop laughing!

 23rd May

My favourite time of the week. Children's club at FBC! There were so many children this week that we took them outside for games and songs. The Hokey Kokey was so much fun and attracted a bit of an audience! I also got to show off my new luganda after I had learnt "I love you Jesus, deep down in my heart".

The story this week was of Barnabas, the blind man healed by Jesus. This month I am in charge of big class's story so I got some of them blindfolded and asked them to guess the object. They were much too good at it! Every week we learn a new memory verse and the children are a lot better at remembering them than me, even though they are learning it in their second language!

Girls with their colouring sheets

27th & 28th May

RMC. Tuesday started with phonics in Nursery Class. This lesson always finishes with the A-Z of animals pop-up book as the children adore it! We look up the letters we have been working on and see what animal is behind the window. You should hear how they squeal when the animal pops out! I always ask them to pick a few letters at the end and it's always interesting when they choose 'u' as the picture is a 'unicornfish'?!

After break, Susie led an art lesson! We did texture rubbing - where you put the paper over an interesting pattern, like a tree or bricks and use a crayon to imprint it on the paper. That wasn't a very good explanation but I'm hoping you know what I'm referring to. 

The children don't usually do activities like this but I think they really enjoyed it. They were super proud of their work anyway!

At lunchtime I sat down on a tree stump outside as the children were playing. Teacher Monica then told all the children to go and get their chairs as I was going to tell them a story! Ok! I went for Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which ended up being translated as the three birds... but they got the general idea.

It was a day of stories as I then told Nursery Class the story of Moses, complete with actions!

Today we are off to children's club. Please pray for the two clubs and the teams. I have been ill over the last couple of days so please pray for healing, I'm feeling much better today so praise God for that. 

Please continue to pray for the children we work with. A lot of them come from families living in poverty and only eat one or two meals a day. 

I will leave you with this photo of my wonderful Tina. This is what happens when you leave your sticker sheet out on the side at kids club!!

building, birthdays and blessings

This week we had another birthday! Anna turned 22 on Monday, and so we of course woke her up with the Taylor Swift song and danced round our bedroom. The work down at Blessed Word didn't need our help so we were able to spend the morning watching Frozen and The Notebook!

 In the afternoon, Susie accompanied me to the doctors once again. Turns out I have a bacterial infection in my nose which is affecting my eyes and underarms... fun! I'm all dosed up with meds now so please just pray for complete healing.
We went down to church to meet Anna and Kathryn who were at LT. We had a birthday cake - see below, and note Kathryn holding a full watering can behind her!

Then we went off to have a meal out, pizza! It was a really lovely time and we shared lots of laughs :) Happy Birthday Anna x

Over the next few days I had to return back to the doctors, but when I could I joined everyone down at Blessed Word. It's really coming along well, it's exciting to see the church building grow. 

On Friday, Kathryn, Anna and I went to FBC for children's club. I have missed them! We were singing with them and asked if any of them would like to lead a song. Two girls volunteered and stood in the centre of the circle and started singing...

'I have a maker
before my heart,
before even time began
My life was in his hands

and then all the children round them joined in for the chorus...

He knows my name
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call

I have a father,
he calls me his own
He'll never leave me,
no matter where I go.'

and oh my, I had to take a few deep breaths! Their voices were so beautiful and it was amazing to hear them singing those words. We have on average about 100 children at this club and we often struggle with remembering their names, but I felt like God saying "Yes, I know their names. Each and every one of them, I know them". It reminded me that every child needs love and a cuddle and reassurance and encouragement, and we shouldn't just look at them as a group but as lots of individuals. 

We continued on, Nic led the Hokey Kokey which turned into complete mayhem but was so much fun! The language barrier is sometimes an issue but when we're all singing the same song and doing funny actions, you can have a genuine laugh with the children around you. 

I led the Big Class with the story of the lost sheep which went well. Then we gave out their biscuits and they went off home. I have no idea how I will say goodbye to these children. 

As children club is going on, Smile also runs a women's club in the church where they make jewellery and crafts. We couldn't resist the opportunity to look through what they'd been making and I bought a few bracelets. They are very talented!

Please pray for healing as a few of us on the team are ill!

God Bless, Grace x