John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea.

Things had not gone well for the disciples in the last chapters of the gospel of John. All of them had abandoned Jesus as he was apprehended and then crucified. The disciples had scattered, returning to their former lives as fishermen. One might expect the relationship between Jesus and the disciples was over. Couldn’t blame Jesus had he chosen to move on from them, but that’s not what happens. Jesus finds them and calls them back to himself. He doesn’t give up on them despite their mistakes and shortcomings.

There’s hope for me. Thank you Lord!