Daily Devotion for Wednesday 30th April 2025

John 21
© Ally Barrett (www.reverendally.org) and used by permission.

Information

Ally Barrett is currently a chaplain working in higher education, having spent eleven years in parish ministry, four years teaching practical theology to trainee ministers, and a year as a children’s minister.  She is also an artist.  This piece is one of several paintings she has created that assumes a degree of physical contact in encounters with Jesus, proportional to the words that are recorded in scripture.  She notes “I guess I think Jesus might have hugged people if that’s what they needed!”   It was  painted with wooden coffee stirrers.

Reflection

There is such warmth conveyed in this picture—not only by the colours of the sunset, but also by the human connection depicted between Jesus and Peter, which serves as the central focus of the artwork. 

I reached out to the artist, Ally Barrett, to understand more about her inspiration for the painting. She graciously responded and said that she simply refers to the piece as “John 21,” She shared with me that ‘in her mind, she imagined that many of Jesus’ interactions with people likely included hugs’ 

I must admit, I had never considered the idea of Jesus having a “ministry of hugs” before this conversation but it is such a beautiful notion to carry with us into our day today and I hope it encourages us to think about the ways we can embody that same spirit of connection and compassion with others.

The painting shows the reconciliation between Jesus and Peter in John 21, the text doesn’t dwell on past mistakes or require Peter to suffer for his previous denials; instead, it emphasises love, faith, and trust.

Recognising that some people may not enjoy hugs, the essence of this artwork is rooted in love and compassion for others. This is something we can all practice, regardless of whether we consider ourselves to have a “ministry of hugs.” 

Ultimately, this picture invites us to consider how we can bring warmth and compassion into our own interactions, we have the power to uplift and support one another, embodying the spirit of connection that lies at the heart of this beautiful artwork.
 
Prayer
 
God of warmth and compassion,
We give thanks for images which evoke feeling and challenge.
For the beauty in warmth, touch, and connection.
May we all embody this in our day today.  Amen.