Welcome. It's Wednesday, 3rd June 2020.
 
It’s Mr Keep here. Good morning, everyone. May the Lord be with you.

 

We are Bishop Ridley, we are One Community, Learning & Growing Together, Sharing the Love of God.
 
Our song for today is called I Won’t Be Afraid 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhAH2zU8UiU

 

Our story for today is from John 21:4-13

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”  So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

 

Our thought for today

 

The disciples were Jesus’ closest friends. They had spent a large amount of time with him as they travelled around the countryside and watched him perform miracles and tell stories. They would normally have been able to recognise him really well.

After Jesus had died at Easter, the disciples were a bit unsure of what was going to happen to them in the future. Even though they had been learning from Jesus, they still had questions and lots of things to understand better.
Perhaps they did not recognise Jesus because they were not expecting to see him just then. This has been a time of uncertainty for many people not knowing what might happen next. 

I wonder what they thought when the man on the shore told them to cast their net again after a whole night with no fish at all? Perhaps they thought that the person should mind their own business, or perhaps they were grateful for the helpful comments.

Whatever they were thinking, it must have been a real shock to start pulling in the nets so full of fish. 

The story can teach Christians lots of things, but today I would like us to focus on the fact that Jesus was interested in the disciples and their day to day work. They would have been used to going out fishing, mending nets, checking the weather and looking after their boats. But even though Jesus could have called out anything to the disciples, he gave them advice on their fishing! This can be a great encouragement to Christians that even in the normal day-to-day work we day (which might feel a bit boring sometimes) God is there beside us and always ready to listen to a prayer or a word of thanks.

 

Our reflection for today:
No matter what happens, the Bible tells us that Jesus is there before his people, encouraging them and finding ways to help as he did that morning - with the catch of fish and then by having a meal ready for them!

As we get ready to start our learning for today, take a few moments to prepare yourself for the tasks ahead. Perhaps you could say a short prayer to ask for God to guide and support you in your work.

You could listen to this music to help you concentrate. It is called In Christ Alone and is sung by Keith & Kristyn Getty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KYvfIc2bE

 

Let's finish with The Lord's Prayer 

(You might like to listen to The Lord’s Prayer Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijPuAtrwHYM )

 

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. 
Amen.