May 2, 2025

Deepening Devotion

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Lectionary Week

April 28–May 4, 2025

Scripture Overview

Self-examination, sacrifice, love, and praise are common themes for this week’s readings. Our takeaways: True, deep faith requires humility and cost. But not in the sense that we subject ourselves to an unreasonable ascetic renunciation or harmful self-punishment. Rather, the cost for us should be perpetual introspection. Contemplation is what inches us forward in our faith, connects us with God’s word, and shows us God’s work in the world. Deepening our devotion hinges on noticing: When has God shown God’s mercy to us? What aspects of Jesus’ teachings do we still ignore? How do we cling to a human stubbornness that impedes agape and praise for “worthy is the lamb”?

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Psalm 30. When in your life has God turned your wailing into dancing so that you could sing God’s praises?
• Read Acts 9:1-20. When have you ignored Jesus’ teaching in order to follow your own agenda? Consider Saul/Paul’s abrupt conversion. What do you make of God’s role in this story? Ananias’ role?
• Read John 21:1-19. The disciples did not know it was Jesus until they ate with him. Consider a time you experienced God in fellowship. Jesus’ questions to Simon Peter—and his prophecy—demonstrate the costs of discipleship. What has your faith cost you?
• Read Revelation 5:11-14. Is Jesus worthy of our sacrifice? If so, why so? When you say or sing “Worthy is the lamb,” what does this phrase mean to you?

Respond by posting a prayer.

¹ Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. ⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” ⁶ He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. ⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards. ⁹ When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” ¹¹ Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. ¹⁵ When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷ He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

In today’s passage, Jesus appears to the disciples: visible, transfigured, and in an incorruptible body. He also reveals himself in a setting that is familiar to his disciples: fishing. The fish is a significant symbol in the Greek New Testament. Many of the disciples are fishermen by occupation; Jesus feeds...

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God open our eyes to the presence of Christ and equip us to follow boldly where he is leading. Amen.

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