Easter Devotion #13 – Are You an Easter Peep?

Scripture: “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” – John 21:3

Examination of the chapter: This final chapter of the book of John sees the disciples going back to their lives prior to joining Jesus in His ministry. After a long night of fishing with no luck, they head back to the shores of Galilee only to see a man there. He calls out to them, inquiring about their success. Upon hearing they have no fish, He tells them to cast their nets on the other side of their boat, and immediately, their nets are full of fish! Peter realizes it’s Jesus, and jumps out of the boat, running to Him. After sharing a meal, Jesus commissions them to continue His ministry after He is gone.

Application: A few weeks prior to Easter, churches are decorated with lilies and crosses with purple cloths draped upon them. New outfits are purchased for Easter Sunday, and family dinners are planned. In the stores, multi-colored marshmallow “peeps” and other holiday candies fill the shelves. Christians around the world enthusiastically celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then Monday comes. The lilies are gone from the churches; the fancy dresses are hung up for a later time, and the peeps disappear from the stores. The religious world resumes its pre-Easter daily activities, and the excitement of the resurrection is shelved until next year. In essence, people across the globe return to their boats and “go fishing” as before.

Jesus has called each one of us to continue His ministry faithfully until He returns. Known as the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20 states, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” This is not the time to “go fishing”. Soon, the Father will tell His beloved Son that it is time to go and get His children. Let’s not be found fishing, but instead, may Jesus find us busy “about our Father’s business”, excited to be serving our risen Saviour, and eager to introduce others to Him!!

Let’s not be Easter “peeps” and get packed away until next spring. Instead, let us make a concerted effort to make the excitement of the resurrection a daily reality not just an annual event!

Memory Verse: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” – Colossians 3:23

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Do you find yourself as an Easter peep? If so, how can you keep the resurrection alive in your heart throughout the year?

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me, I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing will come at last.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

(from “He Lives” by A. H. Ackley)