“It is the Lord!”

There is something transcendent about early morning. The cold of the air begins to warm. The stars fade as new light emerges in the east. The dew on the grass glistens in the glimmer of the first rays of the sun. In the dawn, there is a sense of Presence, a perception that there is Something More here than you and I can see and hear and touch and taste and smell.

The disciples have had a night of fruitless toil. The sun is now coming up. Last night’s refuge of “I am going fishing” has turned into  this morning’s forlorn “I have caught nothing.” 

The One-who-is-Something-More stands on the shore. He has been on that shore before, calling them to follow him. He has told them to throw out their nets before. He has given them a huge catch before.  All of this feels vaguely familiar. The Beloved Disciple recognizes the  stranger: “It is the Lord!” 

“It is the Lord!” every creature on earth also sings. “It is the Lord!”  the elders and the living creatures of heaven sing. 

For the disciples, this morning is the new day. The forlorn night is over. This is Jesus’ last appearance in the Gospel of John. Jesus  makes all things new, including the broken heart of Peter: “Yes, Lord,  I really love you!” “Follow me,” he says. A new era is about to begin. 

The disciples do not just give up fishing. With Peter, they plunge wholeheartedly into the water; they offer their whole strength and the last drop of their heart’s blood for the truth of that resurrection.  They are willing to give all they have for the sake of that name. 

Each new day gives us that opportunity as well. At today’s sunrise,  Jesus says to you and me as well, “Follow me.” 

Consider/Discuss 

• At what time of day does the Spirit of God touch you most? Different people thrive at different times. Are you an early-morning person like I  am? Do you share that same elation of the new day? If you are a night person, the joy of morning may not be yours; is there something transcendent, something more, about the night for you? Talk to someone with a different biorhythm than yours. How does God move you and at what time of day? 
• The early martyrs gave all that they had for Jesus. Christians in many parts  of the world are persecuted for their faith. That may or may not be your  experience. What does it mean to you to give all that you have for God? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Lord, today we begin again. It is the Easter season, the time to  rejoice in newness. You give us the morning. You give us the evening.  You give us the night. We really do love you. We want to follow you.  Let us put no limit on where we allow you to lead us, no end to our  faithfulness in following you. We do not know what we are capable  of, for your vision for this new day is grander than our own. Today,  this day, help us to start anew.