Lent-Children, do you have any fish?

(Watercolor painting I did several years ago)

(Photo I took on island of Mykonos of children at sunset)

Our question for today is Jesus asking, “Children, do you have any fish?” (John 21:5). I have always been drawn to this question. The resurrected Christ is back with his disciples. They are out in the boat fishing and he is calling to them from the shore, but they don’t recognize him. The question is so endearing as Jesus is watching, noticing, caring about what happens to them and is involved in their lives. He asks if they have any fish. Their answer is that they have been fishing all night and have caught nothing. (Of course, Jesus already knows that!).

So, is this question really about the fish? Is it about what they are seeking and hoping for? If you and I were asked what we want, what would we say? How would you complete this sentence?

This child wants gum. Those children wanted fish. Jesus tells them to try the other side of the boat and something incredible happens…

Wow! ” Jesus can do abundantly more than we can ask or even imagine”!! (Ephesians 3:20). One of my favorite scripture verses! There were so many fish the disciples were not able to haul in the net! Now the best part of the story, and what I believe underlies Jesus’ question, is the reaction of the disciples….John excitedly proclaims, “It is the Lord!” Peter jubilantly throws himself into the water and swims to shore where Jesus then takes some of the fish, cooks breakfast for all of them, and every one of them KNEW it was the Lord who was with them!