The disciples find themselves at a crossroad: They must strengthen their witness and attend to the business of gathering more souls for the kingdom, but they must do it against the strict commands of local authority.

The choice of name is meant to say something to the world about your way of life, about your identity (who you envision yourself to be), and even about your values and what you believe in.

Christ is the head of his body, the church. No matter who was responsible for writing Colossians 1:18, we Christians can agree on this statement. But who should mind the store until Jesus comes again in glory is a different subject entirely.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “Who is that person?” Or have you looked at a spouse, close friend, or loved one and momentarily wondered, “Who is this stranger?”

Chasing crayfish taught us the habit of simply observing nature. It taught us to pay attention, to see what was there and what more might be there. There’s always more under the surface than first meets the eye.

In these small ways, Jesus’ lambs are fed.

How would all the new disciples be “caught”? The message that would hook them and that catches us today is the challenge to care for one another and in doing so reflect our love of God.

The risen Lord appeared to his disciples at the lake to encourage their faith. Pray with me that the Lord strengthen us spiritually so that we may follow him with thanksgiving and love.

The disciples stand accused of violating the ban on using the name of Jesus—preaching and healing—and defend themselves by even more preaching.

Holy race of the heavenly Fish [Christ] . . . . Take the saints’ sweet food that the savior sends you. Eat and drink your fill from the Fish you hold in your hands!  —Early Christian funerary inscription