After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Over the last couple of days, we have looked at the miraculous catch of fish in this text and drawn a number of vignettes. The first two centered around the Lord’s Day and worship and the third around our obedience to the Lord and His Word.
This morning: Vignette #4 The Lord’s Love for Us
On the shore, the light penetrates the darkness, the presence of God the Son with His people, with those he loves, calling them to childlike faith, childlike trust in every word that proceeds from His mouth.
This is seen even in his address of them, for he calls them children…an expression of paternal familiarity, of love for those who are weak, those who have yet to grow up, fully, to those under authority and needing the presence and the power of the One looked up to.
The greetings of Jesus in John’s gospel preach to us loudly. Remember, when Mary was so upset at not finding Jesus’ body, she didn’t recognize Him, thinking He is the gardener, until what? Until he calls her by name…when He says to her, “Mary.” She knew. The calling of Mary by name, speaking to the intimacy of our Savior has with each one of those he loves, that the Savior calls us by name.
And, now the resurrected Christ comes to his disciples this third time, showing himself to them, building their confidence not once not twice, but three times, in the truths of His victory over death, his defeating of sin and hell, and all of this FOR THEM, and he comes this third time and calls them, children.
You see, this is how the risen Christ views you, in all your weakness, in all your struggles , in all your failures and in the futility of your efforts, he calls you, children, and proclaims to you the power of the resurrection.
He knows us…He knows our weakness…He knows that we are children, but He doesn’t despise us for it, He doesn’t cast us off because of it…just the opposite…He honors us, by coming to us, by speaking to us, by loving us.
It would have been one thing for God to simply forgive us and let us be…let us go our way. But that would not satisfy Him. He then brings us to His table…and calls us His children.
We take that for granted, don’t we…that we are children in this particular family…brought in, adopted by the Father and given everything that is His. How could we ever forget that? How could we ever forget that as born, this was not our lot, this was not our position…but grace has made it so.
Jesus makes the usual meal of bread and fish, which the disciples have so often shared with him, into a resurrection meal, not only by sitting down with them as the risen Savior. What we have, is an involvement, a participation in the power of the resurrection of Jesus and an illustration of futility without him.
Here is the point of all of this, the presence of the resurrected Savior, changes everything! James, Jesus’ own brother, who grew up with Jesus did not think He was really the Messiah, until…until He had an encounter with the resurrected Jesus, which we read about in I Corinthians 15.
The presence of the resurrected Jesus, changes everything…why, why would we ever miss it, what would we ever prize anything above it! From light to darkness, from futility to abundance, from self-reliance to obedience to His Word, from strangers to family, even children…
This is what Christ has for us…This is what Christ has won for us.
Prayer: Father, You have ordered my days and it is my deepest desire to be faithful with the time that has been set for me. Keep me from sin, both those that come to me and those that come from me. Give me a heart that wants to redeem the time and honor my Savior who has loved me with an everlasting love. I know that I am not my own, give me a rejoicing spirit this day to the honor and praise of my God and King, in Jesus name, Amen.
Song: Create in Me
