Scripture for the week: John 21:1-14
Quote for the week: “…but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.”
We are saved by grace; it is not something we work for or have any power in, it is something we simply accept. Our growth in Jesus is also something that is of grace.
Theologians use the word “sanctification,” which is about being set apart. It is also a process, a process fueled by grace.
Sanctification is our growing relationship with Jesus. We are maturing in the relationship and learning new things each day. We have seen this in the disciples and others in these last few chapters of John, and we see it in this passage. Jesus begins a discussion with the disciples from the shore while they are out on the sea fishing. While they were only 100 yards from the shoreline they did not recognize who was talking to them. Maybe because they could not see that far, or maybe because they still were learning to hear the voice of Jesus. When did they recognize Jesus? When they saw something happen that was different from the normal.
Mary had earlier recognized Jesus from His voice alone. She had grown very close in her relationship with Jesus, and He was standing right next to her talking. The disciples still had room to grow (as we all do) to clearly hear His voice from a distance. God has different methods for each of us to draw close enough to hear His voice, some more dramatic than others. They had just finished fishing and caught nothing and now Jesus asks them to drop the nets again (granted, on the other side of the boat, but not
moving the position of the boat to a new location), and the result? More fish than they could handle! They too were growing in their relationship with Jesus. They were also beginning to see what their life would be like now that the relationship with Jesus was going from physical to spiritual. They were out and about, doing their normal activities (fishing), and God was intervening in a supernatural way.
As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we will see Him take the normal and move us to His agenda, which is far from normal. Enjoy the transformation Jesus is taking you through each day.
Prayer for the week: Father; I come to you seeking transformation. May YOUR will to be done in my life today. Put aside my flesh, and be my life.
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
John 21:1-14 (NIV)
