Daily Readings - Fri Apr 05 2024
Acts
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John
1After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.3Simon 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.4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
Sermon
The readings today guide us through moments of trial and triumph in the early Christian journey. In Acts, Peter and John face persecution for their faith, yet through the Holy Spirit, they boldly proclaim Jesus as the cornerstone of salvation. In John, the disciples, still grappling with the resurrection, encounter Jesus by the Sea of Tiberias. Their night of futile fishing turns to abundance when Jesus guides them, culminating in a heartfelt meal that reaffirms His presence.
These narratives are set in the early church's turbulent beginnings and the post-resurrection period. Acts highlights the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and Jewish authorities, while John focuses on Jesus restoring His disciples, particularly Peter, after his denial. Both stories illustrate divine intervention in times of struggle, emphasizing trust in God's power and Jesus as the source of salvation.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust God during challenges and to recognize His presence in our struggles. Just as the disciples followed Jesus' guidance, we too can find abundance by obeying His will. The moral lesson is clear: faith and obedience lead us to Jesus, who is our salvation and strength. Let us embrace this truth, allowing Him to guide us through life's uncertainties.