June 25 “It Is the Lord!”

John 21:4-6 As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. 6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.”

DOES Jesus stand close by you, but you don’t recognize him? The disciples were busy at their work, but they were unsuccessful. Certainly they were focused on how to catch some fish, so they could have breakfast and earn some money.
   Then Jesus comes to them. Does he mock them or ask them what’s wrong? No. He knows what’s wrong, and he desires to make it right. He speaks to them with a question to affirm he is aware of their circumstance. Then he responds with help. “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.”
   Being Jesus’ disciple means we listen to the Master when he speaks. His words are always helping words. Jesus knows what is wrong with the world – with his creation made in God’s image. He came to help us with the way to salvation. He knows that sin, as on that day, keeps his disciples from knowing him. So he came that day to give his disciples a way to live differently. “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” is more than about fishing. This is Jesus’ urging to love God, to live life differently. We will truly become “fishers of men”. (Mark 1:17) when we listen to the Lord’s call for true and righteous living.
   Listen to Jesus’ “new direction” words to Peter: John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”  19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me!”
   See the Lord’s love for his disciples. Hear his compassion and command to the heart-broken, misdirected Peter. And know this: the Lord’s restoring words for Peter are also for you. He wants you to hear his love, his forgiveness, his urgings, and his passion. He wants you to speak your love. And Jesus wants you to live your love for him. To affirm the truth of, “Lord, you know I love you.” Peter and all of us must live into the risen Lord’s gracious words that honor us with the opportunity to serve him.
   You can hear Jesus’ abundant love speak from the Bible through his Helper and Comforter, the Holy Spirit. We have many opportunities to meet Jesus with Bible reading, Bible study, church attendance and prayer. Serve God’s people. Serve those who don’t know him. Be of faith to believe the Lord’s will is directing you to feed his sheep.
   Yes, he is “on the shore” available to help you. Listen. Know he is your friend, your Lord, your Savior.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for coming to me when I was far from you. I pray I live out my love for you. Amen.
 
Note: This concludes our study of John begun last September. I pray it has been a help to your faith walk with Jesus. Barb and I depart for Ghana on June 25 – return July 9. Pleas pray for our teaching and the hearing of God’s Word. Thank you.