It Could Only Be Jesus

2 Samuel 19:11-20:13

John 21:1-25

Psalm 120:1-7

Proverbs 16:16-17

In this last passage of John Jesus stands on the shore, calls out to the tired disciples as they fish fruitlessly "try the other side of the boat!"

"Okay, stranger, sure."

The nets overflow with the number of fish...

"Oh...it's Jesus. It's Jesus."

They know Him and even though it's impossible because Jesus is supposed to be dead, they would know Him anywhere.

This is almost exactly like the story of when He first called a couple of His disciples. He told them He would make them fishers of men. This last story in John could perhaps be the last time they truly fish in the way they used to.

Before they met Jesus fishing must have been their full-time job (mind you this is all me just trying to fill in the lines with little to none research) but while they followed Jesus I imagine they didn't fish as much...they were busy learning from Jesus, joining in His ministry. But when Jesus died I guess they figured what else would they do except go back to fishing? So here they are. But Jesus comes through on every promise. He rises from the dead, defeating death itself NBD...and He seeks out the disciples and calls them again. They are not through with Jesus's ministry...it is only beginning. Jesus calls them now to fish for men.

When Jesus told the disciples to fish on the other side of the boat I thought of my own life and ministry. I want to be ready and obedient to go and do the things I wouldn't have expected. Part of me would understand if the disciples just didn't obey..."Nah, let's not fish on the other side. We already know nothing's there." But because they did obey they got to see that Jesus knew better and it could only be Jesus!

In my everyday life and ministry I know there are areas I don't want to go, things I don't want to do...they seem like they might not be worth my while "I already know nothing's there" I might think. But Jesus knows better, so I pray I listen and obey. Because I don't really know anything after all, Jesus wants to do the impossible and I could never expect that.