Dear Explorer,
Read John 21:1-14
To really understand today's study, you will need to review Day 54 from Luke 5:4-11. There we read Luke's record of how these disciples were initially called by Jesus to begin their life's work as fishers of men.
They were called to this ministry of leading people to Jesus and helping men find their way to God. It was not a temporary calling. It was a life-time commitment.
After seeing Jesus brutally tortured, their lives were in a jumble. They were scared and confused. Jesus appeared to them in the upper room, and now a few days later -- we find them fishing. Had they returned to their former occupation? Or were they just killing time until they could decide what to do next? We are not told.
But what we do know is that Jesus met them right in the middle of their confusion and replayed, almost exactly and very visibly and concretely, the same scenario as the day they decided to leave their nets and follow Him.
This section reassures me that Jesus not only understands our doubts and confusion and questions, but He also has compassion and ministers to my needs in tangible ways.
I deal with intense feelings of inadequacy. It stems from a childhood of verbal abuse and put downs. But it's also Satan's biggest tool to attack me anytime I have a special opportunity to minister. I am amazed at the creative ways that God meets me in those fears and questions.
The last time I was asked to speak at a women's gathering, I was really struggling with these feelings of inadequacy. God sent a total stranger who approached me and said, "I'm so glad that you are speaking to our group on Thursday. My friend told me that you really, really ministered to her when you shared your testimony with the choir. I can't wait to hear what you have to teach me on Thursday. " I felt that God had just personally sent me the reassurance that I needed.
Do you know that He cares about your feelings?
In Judges 7:9-15 you can read about God dealing with Gideon's fears as a leader of the Israelite army. Yes, God cares!
He cared about these disciples who needed to be reminded of the work that they were called to do. He assured them by reminding them of Who He was and that He was able to meet their needs.
So, how many people were out fishing (John 21:1-14)?
What time of day was it?
They had fished all night and were now coming back to shore to clean their nets and go home. Jesus met them there in the early morning.
What did Jesus say to them?
When they answered, “No.” What did He instruct them to do?
What happened?
In John 21:7, John (the author of this text) says that he realized it was Jesus. What did Peter do?
What did he see on shore?
Jesus had prepared breakfast for the men. Then He asked them to bring some fish with them.
John tells us that there were 153 large fish in the net, yet the net did not break.
Notice that even though they “knew it was Jesus,” they were still confused by His appearance. I wonder if that was because His new BODY was so different or because they knew that He was supposed to be a dead man and they were still trying to figure things out.
In His service, dale
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