Episode 881
The Miraculous Catch: Abundance in Times of Scarcity
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The narrative of John 21:1-19 presents a compelling exploration of the themes of reconciliation, community, and the embodiment of love through action. The episode illustrates a poignant moment in which the resurrected Jesus encounters his disciples at the Sea of Galilee, an event steeped in symbolism and significance. The disciples' return to fishing, following their disillusionment, highlights a universal experience of regression after trauma. Yet, it is in this mundane existence that Jesus meets them, offering a miraculous catch that serves as a testament to divine grace and the potential for renewal.
As the dialogue unfolds, the emphasis on Peter's three affirmations of love for Jesus illuminates the intrinsic link between faith and responsibility. Jesus' command to 'feed my sheep' transcends mere theological discourse, demanding actionable expressions of love and care for others. This message challenges listeners to reconsider their approach to spirituality, advocating for a faith that actively seeks to uplift and support the community rather than remaining confined to personal salvation.
In essence, the episode encourages a shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, urging individuals to identify and address areas of need within their communities. The call to establish systems of mutual aid and to practice generosity embodies the core message of the episode: that love, when genuinely enacted, has the power to transform lives and foster a sense of belonging among individuals. This profound exploration not only reflects on the transformative nature of Jesus' message but also invites listeners to participate in the ongoing journey of faith and communal restoration.
Takeaways:
- The Gospel of John 21 exemplifies the theme of restoration following trauma and failure.
- The miraculous catch of fish illustrates the abundance that arises amidst moments of scarcity.
- Jesus' inquiry to Peter about love emphasizes the necessity of manifesting love through actionable care.
- The narrative underscores the importance of community healing and returning to shared experiences after hardship.
- Authentic faith necessitates collective healing rather than mere individual salvation in isolation.
- Practical compassion supersedes theological correctness in demonstrating true fidelity to love's call.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Love Restoration and Radical A Reflection on the Gospel of John 21:1 19 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is our daily visit with the New Testament as we have a daily read from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle.
Speaker A:We're in the Easter tide season.
Speaker A:We make the Bible understandable.
Speaker A:We read from the Message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We do so in under 10 minutes or so with a prayer to boot.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's our website where we provide to you the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:Let's get into reading today for the gospel of John 21:1 19 reading for the message.
Speaker A:The subheading is fishing.
Speaker A:After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberia Sea or the Sea of Galilee.
Speaker A:This is how he did it.
Speaker A:Simon Peter, Thomas, nickname Twin Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee.
Speaker A:The brothers Zebedee and two other disciples were together.
Speaker A:And Simon Peter announced, I'm going fishing.
Speaker A:The rest of them replied, we're going with you.
Speaker A:And they went out and got in the boat.
Speaker A:They caught nothing.
Speaker A:That night when the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn't recognize him.
Speaker A:Jesus spoke to them, good morning.
Speaker A:Did you catch anything for breakfast?
Speaker A:They answered, no.
Speaker A:He said, throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.
Speaker A:They did what he said, and all of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren't strong enough to pull it in.
Speaker A:Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, it's the Master.
Speaker A:When Simon Peter realized it was the master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work and dove into the sea.
Speaker A:The other disciples came in by boat, for they weren't far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish.
Speaker A:When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid with fish and bread cooking on it.
Speaker A:And Jesus said, bring some of the fish you've just caught.
Speaker A:Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore.
Speaker A:153 big fish.
Speaker A:And even with all those fish, the net didn't rip.
Speaker A:Jesus said, breakfast is ready.
Speaker A:Not one of the disciples dare ask, who are you?
Speaker A:They knew it was the master.
Speaker A:Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them.
Speaker A:He did the same with the fish.
Speaker A:This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.
Speaker A:Do you love me?
Speaker A:After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, simon, son of John, do you love me more than these yes master, you know I love you.
Speaker A:Jesus said, feed my lambs.
Speaker A:He then asked a second time, simon, son of John, do you love me?
Speaker A:Yes master, you know I love you.
Speaker A:And Jesus said, shepherd my sheep.
Speaker A:Then he said to the third time, simon, son of John, do you love me?
Speaker A:And Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, do you love me?
Speaker A:He answered, master, you know everything there is to know.
Speaker A:You've got to know that I love you.
Speaker A:Jesus said, feed my sheep.
Speaker A:I'm telling you the very truth now.
Speaker A:When you were young, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished.
Speaker A:But when you get old, you'll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don't want to go.
Speaker A:He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.
Speaker A:And then he commanded, follow me.
Speaker A:Wow, really powerful section of scripture here my my friends.
Speaker A:We're just going to explore this story of return of reconciliation and what it truly means to love.
Speaker A:So let's talk about the some points to ponder.
Speaker A:There is the return to community after trauma and failure.
Speaker A:The disciples returned to what they knew fishing.
Speaker A:But Jesus meets them there in their ordinary work, their familiar patterns.
Speaker A:This speaks to how healing often happens in community and returning to shared tables and common work.
Speaker A:Progressive faith isn't about individual salvation, but about collective healing and restoration.
Speaker A:Let's also talk about abundance amid scarcity.
Speaker A:The miraculous catch comes after a night of empty nets.
Speaker A:This isn't about prosperity gospel promises, but about challenging scarcity mindsets that keep us from sharing our resources and creating just economies.
Speaker A:The specific number 153fish suggests that abundance is meant to be counted, shared and distributed fairly.
Speaker A:A third point is love is action.
Speaker A:Jesus threefold questioning of Peter links love directly to caring for others.
Speaker A:Feed my sheep.
Speaker A:This challenges individualistic spirituality and suggests that authentic love must manifest in concrete action for just and care.
Speaker A:Notice that Jesus doesn't demand theological correctness, but practical compassion.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Identify a place in your community where it is operating in a scarcity mindset that prevents sharing injustice.
Speaker A:This might be in a church budget or some sort of community resource or funds, or even in your personal giving.
Speaker A:And choose a concrete way to practice abundance thinking through action.
Speaker A:For example, start a joint, some sort of a community food pantry or food sharing program.
Speaker A:Advocate for resources redistribution in institutions that you know it is unevenly distributed.
Speaker A:Create systems for mutual aid in your neighborhood.
Speaker A:Remember, like Peter, show love through practical care for others.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a minute, but I do want you to know we have a great resource for you to study the Bible on your own.
Speaker A:It is called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:We invite you to head over to our website, voiceofgodaily.com and pick it up.
Speaker A:It's for you to help you with your Bible study.
Speaker A:Here's our prayer Divine love who meets us in our ordinary lives.
Speaker A:We often return to familiar patterns after failure or disappointment.
Speaker A:Help us find you there in our everyday work and relationships.
Speaker A:When we operate from scarcity, show us possibilities for abundance.
Speaker A:When we're tempted to keep love theoretical, remind us to feed your sheep.
Speaker A:Give us courage to translate love into action, to share resources generously to build communities of mutual care.
Speaker A:Guide us in creating systems of abundance rather than scarcity and hope and determination.
Speaker A:We pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:What a joy it is to be with you every day here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:I'll be here with you again tomorrow.
Speaker A: ion ears, a million people by: Speaker A:How about you join me again tomorrow?
Speaker A:Bring a friend this time and we'll continue that quest.
Speaker A:Until tomorrow then, friends.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:And reminding you that God's loyal love doesn't run out, his merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
