Week 1 — RE:FRAME
John 21:1–8
Introduction
Have you ever had your expectations crushed—your dreams die?
You were certain you knew how things were going to unfold, only to watch them fall apart. Sometimes that even happens within marriage or the relationships closest to us.
Expectations are powerful. When they’re fulfilled, they undergird us. When they’re shattered, they can shake our faith to the core.
In this week’s reflection, we’ll see this connection between expectations and faith played out in the lives of the disciples. They believed they understood the Kingdom Jesus was bringing—and then, in a moment, everything they thought they knew collapsed. Their hopes were crushed. Their vision for the future went up in smoke.
But the story doesn’t end in despair.
We’ll watch as Jesus meets them in their disappointment, reframes their understanding, realigns their expectations, and offers them a way forward. In doing so, He gives us a framework to rebuild hope, renew faith, and begin again—even when the future looks nothing like we imagined.
As you read this week, bring your own unmet expectations with you. Jesus is not threatened by them—and He is not finished yet, your story is still being written.
Scripture
John 21:1–8 (ESV)
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 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.
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on 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 of the quantity of fish.
That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
Reflection
The disciples are back where they started—fishing.
Not because it’s exciting. Not because it’s strategic. But because it’s familiar.
Everything they thought was going to happen hadn’t. Jesus was crucified. Yes, He had risen—but now he said he is leaving. The Kingdom they expected, the future they imagined, the role they assumed they would play in it all… none of it looked the way they thought it would.
So Peter says what disappointed people often say: “I’m going fishing.”
This isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about retreating to what makes sense when everything feels confusing. When calling feels unclear. When hope feels fragile.
And they fish all night—and catch nothing.
That’s often how unmet expectations work. We return to old patterns, old efforts, old solutions… and still come up empty.
Then Jesus appears. Quietly. Gently. Not with rebuke, but with a question:
“Do you have any fish?”
They don’t recognize Him yet, but they obey Him anyway. They cast the net again—not because it makes sense, but because they’re invited to try once more.
And suddenly, everything changes.
The miracle isn’t just the fish.
It’s the reframing.
Jesus meets them in their disappointment, not after they’ve sorted it out. He doesn’t shame their confusion or rush their understanding. He simply invites them to see differently—to trust again—to obey once more.
Before He ever calls Peter back into purpose, He reframes the moment.
Before restoration comes renewal of perspective.
Reframed, that’s where this journey begins … This is the Way.
Prayer Prompt
Where have your expectations been disappointed—by God, by others, or by yourself?
What have you quietly returned to because hope felt risky?
Bring that place honestly before Jesus.
Prayer
Jesus,
You see the nights where I’ve tried hard and come up empty.
You know the disappointment I carry—the plans that didn’t work, the future that didn’t unfold the way I imagined.
Meet me here, in my confusion and weariness.
Help me release my expectations and trust You again.
Teach me to see what You are doing, even when I don’t recognize You yet.
Amen.
Response
Today, name one unmet expectation you’ve been carrying and place it honestly before Jesus. Then ask yourself: If I truly trusted Him here, what would I do next? Take one intentional step that reflects trust—not surrendering responsibility, but responding in faith.
Tuesday — Reframed Relationship
John 21:4-5 (NIV)
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
Jesus stands on the shore and calls out to the disciples. The word He uses carries the warmth of friends or beloved children.
This is striking—because these are the same men who couldn’t stay awake when He asked them to pray in His anguish. They abandoned Him in the garden. They left Him alone to face His accusers. They hid while He was nailed to the cross.
And yet, Jesus does not address them as failures. He does not rehearse their disloyalty. He calls them friends.
Jesus is reframing the relationship.
Their standing with Him is not based on their performance, but on His grace. Not on what they did—or failed to do—but on what He accomplished on the cross. “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10). God has already done the reconciling work (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).
Before Jesus ever addresses their calling or their future, He reassures them of their belonging.
Prayer Prompt
Where are you still relating to Jesus based on performance rather than grace?
Response
Today, I will acknowledge one place where I’ve been earning instead of receiving, and I will rest in the truth that my relationship with Jesus is grounded in His finished work—not my work.
Wednesday — Reframed Mission
John 21:5–7
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He 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.
Then 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.
The disciples don’t recognize Jesus by sight or by His voice—but by abundance.
After a long, empty night, the nets are suddenly so full they cannot haul them in. And John cries out, “It is the Lord!”
This moment reframes their understanding of mission.
God’s work was never dependent on their skill, strength, or resources. Their lack didn’t disqualify them; it positioned them to witness God’s provision. Jesus takes them back—to the first miraculous catch, to the feeding of the crowds—reminding them that God is a God of abundance.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20).
Prayer Prompt
Where have you assumed God’s work depends on what you can provide?
Response
Today, I will release control over one area where I’ve been trying to supply what only God can provide, choosing instead to trust His abundance.
Thursday — Reframed Expectations
John 21:7–8
Then 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.
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
Peter recognizes Jesus and jumps into the water—but not before putting on his outer garment.
It’s a curious detail. A heavy coat would only slow him down. Yet Scripture includes it.
We can’t be certain why Peter did this, but it invites reflection. Could he have been remembering another moment—when Jesus called him to walk on water? How often do we expect God to repeat Himself, turning past experiences into formulas for future success?
Jesus reframes Peter’s expectations. The goal isn’t the miracle. The goal is Jesus Himself. Peter jumps in not because of the fish, but because he wants to be with Him.
Prayer Prompt
Where have past experiences shaped expectations God never promised to repeat?
Response
Today, I will loosen my grip on how I think God should work or has worked and reaffirm my trust in who He is and his love for me.
Friday — Reframed Perspective
God’s perspective is vast, loving, and purposeful.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts,” the Lord declares - Isaiah 55:8–9
His thoughts toward us are more numerous than the sand- Psalm 139:17–18
His plans are for hope and a future - Jeremiah 29:11
God is inviting us to see differently—to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), to align our thoughts with Christ, to lift our focus beyond what is immediate or visible, and see through the eyes of Christ.
Reframing begins when we allow God’s truth—not our circumstances—to reshape how we think, hope, and trust. Reframing is an invitation —
"Come in, and know me better, man!"
spoken by the Ghost of Christmas Present to Scrooge
in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
Prayer Prompt
What truth from God’s Word needs to reshape your perspective today?
Response
Today, I will replace one anxious or limiting thought with God’s truth, choosing to align my perspective with His promises rather than my circumstances and fears. Choosing to believe and trust in who he says he is — my Father, my Lord, my friend.
And they fish all night—and catch nothing.
That’s often how unmet expectations work. We return to old patterns, old efforts, old solutions… and still come up empty.
I have been there, literally, many times before! A good word friend.