"After the stone was rolled away" pt.2

"After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (sea of Galilee); and on this wise showed He Himself.There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathaniel of Cana in Gallilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of His Disciples. Simon Peter said unto them, I go a fishing. They said unto him, we also go with you. They went forth,and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore : but the Disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, Children, have you any meat? They answered Him , no. And He said unto them, Cast your net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that Disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded his fishers coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other Disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) (appr. 100 yds) dragging the net with fish. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, Jesus said unto them, bring of the fish which you have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fish, an hundred and fifty three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus said unto them, Come and dine. And none of the Disciples did ask Him, Who are you? Knowing that it was the Lord.

John 21:1-12

"when morning comes"

How often in our daily lives have we experienced something good come our way, and wonder about it. When we do think about it, to what do we ascribe, the good results of our situations to? For that matter, to what do we ascribe, the seemingly negative results to? How often do we think it's because of our own natural talents, and knowledge? Or lack of them. Do we think God's Blessings to us, is the reward for us earning it, by our "good deeds"? Do we think the absence of Blessing, is"just" a result of sin in our life, or "just" an attack of the enemy? I know these are a lot of rhetorical questions, but hopefully they would be food for thought.

We see in today's scripture, after Jesus had appeared twice before to His Disciples, they decide to go fishing. This wasn't a leisurely trip, they were basically going back to work, fishing, to provide for their families. What frustration they must have felt, after fishing all night, and catching nothing for all their work. But when morning came, "Jesus stood on the shore". But they did not recognize Him.

As we go about our daily lives, we also can experience the same frustration, fear and anger, in our walk with Him, when situations and circumstances don't have the results we expect. In Mark chapter 8, Jesus tells the Disciples, to be aware of the leaven(false teaching) of the Pharisees. They think He is talking about bread. He questions them about why are they thinking about bread. In doing so, corrects them about focusing too much in the physical, and missing the spiritual lessons, and application. He reminds them of what He taught them, and the miracles they saw. Don't we also initially, do the same.

Do we see His Hand orchestrating events in our lives that produce, favorable outcomes, even thru our talents and abilities. Do we see His Hand in the events that don't have good outcomes, or produce trials and troubles. God works ALL things together for GOOD,to those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose.(Rom 8:28) We must remember, that this is a conditional statement to His People, and according to His Will. Even when we are walking according to His will, we can experience negative things that the Lord uses, to strengthen our faith. The Disciples in the boat, were about to be reminded of this ...again.

Jesus stands on the shore, and asks them, "Children do you have any meat?. The question phrased in a way, to cause them to think, about Who He was. They answer no. He tells them to cast their net on the right side of the ship, they listen, and they catch a multitude of great fish. John says to Peter, "It is the Lord." They recognized Jesus, as He reminded them with this Miracle, the same Miracle that He performed, when He called them to be His Disciples, (Lk 5), of the spiritual lessons, through their physical circumstances.

Sometimes the Lord takes us back, to the beginning of our walk with Him, when He performed the great Miracle of changing a sinners heart, and seeing His Grace and Mercy in good times and bad. Blessings received, lessons learned, always for our good. When we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, just as it was for the disciples in the boat, and Mary at the tomb after the stone was rolled away, the Risen Savior, is always there for us, "when the morning comes".