by Wayne Faison, BGAV Executive Director

‍

In the days following Easter the celebration may fade, but the significance of the resurrection remains as powerful as ever. John 21:9-14 offers a vivid picture of what it means to live in the aftermath of Easter Sunday morning. The risen Christ meets his disciples not in spectacle, but in the ordinary rhythms of life—on the shore, around a fire, sharing a meal. This moment reminds us that resurrection faith is not confined to a single Sunday; it is meant to shape every day that follows.

Mary Magdalene’s testimony on Easter morning declared that she had “seen the Lord” with absolute certainty and no doubt. Yet the disciples struggled to maintain that same confidence. Even after witnessing the risen Jesus, they found themselves drifting back to familiar routines, returning to their old lives as fishermen. Their empty nets in John 21 symbolize a deeper truth: apart from Christ, even our best efforts fall short. The aftermath of Easter teaches us that there is no turning back to who we once were. Resurrection changes everything.

On the shore, Jesus had already prepared a charcoal fire with fish and bread. This detail is rich with meaning. The fire recalls both Peter’s denial and his coming restoration, symbolizing judgment, purification, and divine presence. Jesus’ invitation to bring some of the newly caught fish was not for his own benefit, but for theirs—it was an act of participation, reminding them that their work has meaning only when joined with his provision. The miraculous catch of 153 species of fish—with an unbroken net—points to the completeness of Christ’s work and the expansive mission ahead: reaching all people with the gospel.

Finally, when Jesus breaks bread and shares the meal in the aftermath of Easter, it becomes more than Communion—it becomes commissioning. This is not the Last Supper revisited, but a “First Breakfast” of a new reality. The risen Savior is still the answer—not only for salvation, but for daily living. Christ’s presence calls his followers out of fear and into purpose.

For believers today, the message is clear. In the aftermath of Easter, we are called to live with unwavering certainty, to trust that all things have been accomplished through Christ, and to move forward in mission. The resurrection is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of a much broader mission.

Rev. Dr. Wayne Faison is BGAV’s executive director.

‍