Through the Bible - Ezra 1-2, John 20
Good morning,
In yesterday's passage Peter and the rest of the disciples went back to fishing which had previously been the livelihood for many of them. You get the feeling that their hearts were not in it.
I know from experience that fishing can be boring when you don't catch anything for hours. It gave them time, important time to reflect on all that had happened and to consider the things that Jesus had done and taught them. Thoughts may have gone back to another time when Peter, James, and John were fishing in a similar situation.in Luke 5.
Luke 5:4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying,"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
Today's verse comes from John 21 where Jesus gives them particular instructions. There is no indication that they recognized that it was Jesus speaking, yet this time they didn't question Him, they cast the nets on the other side.
John 21:6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. NKJV
With this, there was no doubt who it was and impetuous Peter immediately jumped into the water and swam ashore to meet Jesus. He couldn't wait to be with Him.
Matthew Henry writes:
He showed the strength of his affection to Christ, and his earnest desire to be with him, by casting himself into the sea; and either wading or swimming to shore, to come to him. When he walked upon the water to Christ (Matt 14:28,29), it was said, He came down out of the ship deliberately; but here it is said, He cast himself into the sea with precipitation; sink or swim, he would show his good-will and aim to be with Jesus. "If Christ suffer me," thinks he, "to drown, and come short of him, it is but what I deserve for denying him." Peter had had much forgiven, and made it appear he loved much by his willingness to run hazards, and undergo hardships, to come to him. Those that have been with Jesus will be willing to swim through a stormy sea, a sea of blood, to come to him. And it is a laudable contention amongst Christ's disciples to strive who shall be first with him.
Have you been "much forgiven" how much do you desire to be "with Jesus"? Will you plunge into His Word seeking to follow Him?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
John 21:6-11
6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
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