April 20, 2025

From Despair to Joy

Pastor Rok Lee

John 21:1-11

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,[a] 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 his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 

The word “first” often brings good memories. The first snow, first meeting, first love—these are usually special and beautiful moments. Of course, first times can also feel awkward or clumsy.

Recently, I watched a drama called “The History of Scruffiness. It’s a story about a man’s first love. Everything about it was awkward, and in the end, he loses his loved one. Honestly, I liked the original webtoon better than the drama. But one thing is clear—people give special meaning to “first” experiences.

So, what about the first time the disciples met Jesus? Luke tells us what happened when Jesus first called his disciples: “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.” (Luke 5:4–6)

It was an amazing miracle. Now think about it—what was Jesus’ job? He was a carpenter. And what about Peter? He was a fisherman. So who should know more about fishing? Of course, Peter.

Peter had worked all night and caught nothing. But then a carpenter from another town comes and tells him to throw the nets again. When Peter obeyed, he caught so many fish that the nets were tearing.

The first meeting between Jesus and Peter began with a miracle. But it was more than just a miracle. Let’s think again about what Peter said: “If you say so, I will let down the nets.” To follow Jesus is to trust His word. Peter was a fishing expert. He knew what he was doing. But still, he followed Jesus’ words. He didn’t just throw the net. He laid down his own thoughts, his plans, and even his pride before Jesus. Peter didn’t think it was the right time to fish. It wasn’t in his plan. But he gave that up to follow Jesus’ word. And that’s when the miracle happened.

We also have thoughts or plans that we need to lay down in order to follow Jesus. Sometimes, what we think is right might be different from what Jesus says. At that moment, we must choose Jesus’ word over our own plans. But that’s not always easy. Sometimes we say, “Let me do what I want first, and then I’ll follow You.”

One day, my wife asked me to do the dishes. But I was really busy. So I told myself I’d finish my work first and then do the dishes. It was a perfect plan for me. But when I finally finished everything, it was already dinner time. The sink was full of dirty dishes, and we couldn’t even cook. My plan was good, but my wife’s plan was better.

This is what it means to follow Jesus. We don’t always go with our plan. We give it up and follow His word. And when we do that, we may experience something amazing—just like the disciples did. 

Now, today’s passage shows a similar story. This happens after Jesus died on the cross. The disciples went back to their old lives. Their dreams were gone. Their plans were broken. They returned to their hometown, Galilee, to start over. They were trying to move on, but even fishing didn’t work. They caught nothing. Maybe they thought, “Nothing works. I’m a failure.” Maybe they didn’t even want to live anymore.

Then, someone standing on the shore speaks to them. It’s still early, and they can’t see clearly who it is. The person asks if they caught any fish. They say no. Then the voice says: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat.” (John 21:6) They do what the voice says, and suddenly they catch a huge number of fish—too many to carry.

At that moment, the disciples remembered their first meeting with Jesus. That day long ago, after a long night of fishing with no results, a carpenter told them to try again. Now, Jesus was doing the same thing. Jesus came to them just like their first meeting. In joy, Peter jumped into the water and ran to Jesus.

This moment reminded them of their true calling. Jesus once said, “I will make you fishers of people.” But the disciples had returned to fishing for fish. They were still stuck in their old plans and sorrows. They had forgotten their real purpose. But Jesus came to remind them.

Are any of you feeling like the disciples—sad, hopeless, or stuck in failure? If so, I bless you with this truth: Jesus’ resurrection gives us new hope. His resurrection is like the sun rising after a long night. It shines light into our dark hearts. It turns our sadness into joy.

To move from despair to joy, we need to remember our first love with Jesus. In today’s story, Jesus comes to the disciples just like the first time. If you are tired, lost, or discouraged today, remember your first meeting with Jesus. Remember how much He loves you. Remember the words He gave you.

The Bible says we are to repent because we have left our first love. We often leave behind that first love, that first joy, and that first hope. We follow what we think is right. Even though Jesus has called us from the world, we go back to the world and feel like failures. But Jesus says to us again today: “Remember our first meeting.”

Dear church, how is your relationship with Jesus today? Is He still in the grave for you? Are you still in the dark? Jesus has risen. We are no longer in the dark—we are in the light. We are no longer in despair—we are in joy.

And if you are not there yet, then please, remember the first moment you met Jesus. Think again about how deeply He loves you. May His resurrection light and life fill your heart. May you move from despair to joy, and from darkness to light.