JUNE 14, 2025

  “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” 

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

EZRA 6-8

11Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. 12May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.

I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.  (6:1-12)

JOHN 21

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6He 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.

7Then 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. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.^c 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11So 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. 12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

JOURNAL 

In Ezra 6, we see God working through King Darius—an unlikely ally. Though the Jews were living under foreign rule, exiled from their homeland and legacy, God's hand never left them. Darius not only allows the temple work to continue, but issues a decree with fierce protection: “May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple” (Ezra 6:12). It's a powerful reminder that God's purposes are not confined by human systems or failures. Even when His people seem lost in exile, He raises up provision and protection from unexpected places.

In John 21, we see another moment of divine tenderness. The disciples have returned to fishing—perhaps discouraged, maybe disoriented by the death and resurrection of Jesus, uncertain of what’s next. Then Jesus appears on the shore and calls out: “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” (John 21:5). What follows is a familiar miracle, echoing their first calling. But even more profound is Jesus’ quiet, redemptive moment with Peter. The one who had denied Him three times is now invited to affirm his love three times. Jesus doesn’t shame him. Instead, He restores him, over a fire of burning coals and breakfast. Grace wrapped in everyday familiarity.

These two stories—separated by centuries—speak the same truth: God does not abandon us when we fail. He meets us in our weakness, in exile, in denial, in despair—and still calls us back to purpose. Like Peter, who was overcome by his own failure, we may be tempted to retreat into what feels safe or familiar. But Jesus comes right into that space—not to remind us of our failure, but to rewrite the story.

This reminds me of 1 Peter 1:6–9, where we are told that “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials… these have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith… may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (vv. 6–7). Our trials are not pointless. Our failures are not wasted. They are the very soil where faith grows.

So today I rest in this truth: earthly failure is never God’s final word. In fact, it may be the very beginning of restoration. Whether through the decree of a foreign king or the quiet offering of bread and fish by a campfire, God is always drawing us back—restoring, rebuilding, and reminding us who we are and whose we are.

What grace. What hope.

 6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

1 PETER 1:6-9