Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Christ who transforms human situations
John 21:1-14 “V5: He called out to them, “Friends haven’t you any fish?”
What is transformation? Is it the absence of difficulties? Is it the presence of possibilities?
Let’s look at the portion we just read. What were the difficulties?
Simon, Nathanael, sons of Zebedee and 2 other disciples went back to the profession that they knew (vs 2-3). Let us bear in mind that they were called out of that same profession with a calling by Jesus. Now at this moment they were going back to the same profession forgetting the calling of Jesus and forgetting the presence of Jesus with them (vs 4). Sometimes we resort to our self learned ways forgetting the calling of God in our life and ignoring the presence and leading of Jesus in our life.
The difficulties that the disciples faced could happen to any of us. The uncertain future that laid ahead without the leading of their master, the fear of the Jews and others who were still in the hunt for the followers of Jesus, the “not so bright,” prospect of going back to their homes and families whom they had left behind some three and half years ago. The list goes on and on. The list of our difficulties and challenges can go on and on; however Jesus asks us “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
This question is a question of retrospection and reflection. Fish here could just mean the fish to be caught in the waters or perhaps it could be pointing to the calling of Jesus for them. For didn’t Jesus once said to them “I’ll make you fishers of men.” This question is an answer in itself. That’s how our masters work most of the time. Look at all his questions in the gospel and we’ll find an answer hidden in it. He calls them “friends,” which only Jesus had addressed them. More than his disciples they were his friends. During his last days he had called them friends. He calls us to be his friends to discover the possibilities that lie around us. If “fish,” reminded them of their calling to be fishers of men; it also underlined that they can fulfill their purpose only with the realization and the presence of Jesus with them. For weren’t their net full and “unable to be hauled,” when they followed the direction of our Lord’s command?
The transformation continues on to the shore. There Jesus already had some fish (vs. 9). Where did he get it from? The writer doesn’t inform us. Sometimes God has miraculous ways of leading us. These are morsels of strength for us. Not for us to be riveted and fixed on to it, but to fix our eyes on the prize ahead. Jesus had his own fish still he asked them for their fish. Our Lord needs our fellowship even though we ignore and forget His ways. That’s the father’s love.
The true transformation is in growing in this deep experience of knowing who Jesus really is. They all knew who he was but they dared not to ask (vs. 12). This is the prize: as the apostle Paul says: “knowing the power of His resurrection.” It is in the fellowship of the bread and the fish that we grow slowly in the presence of Jesus. We grow in this fellowship to be fishers of men.
Transformation is not the absence of difficulties but the presence of possibilities through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Jesus enable my eyes to see what I cannot see, train my mind to think what I cannot think, steady my heart to ever desire for you. Amen
Rev. Abraham Kuruvilla
Emmanuel MTC. Lubbock
What is transformation? Is it the absence of difficulties? Is it the presence of possibilities?
Let’s look at the portion we just read. What were the difficulties?
Simon, Nathanael, sons of Zebedee and 2 other disciples went back to the profession that they knew (vs 2-3). Let us bear in mind that they were called out of that same profession with a calling by Jesus. Now at this moment they were going back to the same profession forgetting the calling of Jesus and forgetting the presence of Jesus with them (vs 4). Sometimes we resort to our self learned ways forgetting the calling of God in our life and ignoring the presence and leading of Jesus in our life.
The difficulties that the disciples faced could happen to any of us. The uncertain future that laid ahead without the leading of their master, the fear of the Jews and others who were still in the hunt for the followers of Jesus, the “not so bright,” prospect of going back to their homes and families whom they had left behind some three and half years ago. The list goes on and on. The list of our difficulties and challenges can go on and on; however Jesus asks us “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
This question is a question of retrospection and reflection. Fish here could just mean the fish to be caught in the waters or perhaps it could be pointing to the calling of Jesus for them. For didn’t Jesus once said to them “I’ll make you fishers of men.” This question is an answer in itself. That’s how our masters work most of the time. Look at all his questions in the gospel and we’ll find an answer hidden in it. He calls them “friends,” which only Jesus had addressed them. More than his disciples they were his friends. During his last days he had called them friends. He calls us to be his friends to discover the possibilities that lie around us. If “fish,” reminded them of their calling to be fishers of men; it also underlined that they can fulfill their purpose only with the realization and the presence of Jesus with them. For weren’t their net full and “unable to be hauled,” when they followed the direction of our Lord’s command?
The transformation continues on to the shore. There Jesus already had some fish (vs. 9). Where did he get it from? The writer doesn’t inform us. Sometimes God has miraculous ways of leading us. These are morsels of strength for us. Not for us to be riveted and fixed on to it, but to fix our eyes on the prize ahead. Jesus had his own fish still he asked them for their fish. Our Lord needs our fellowship even though we ignore and forget His ways. That’s the father’s love.
The true transformation is in growing in this deep experience of knowing who Jesus really is. They all knew who he was but they dared not to ask (vs. 12). This is the prize: as the apostle Paul says: “knowing the power of His resurrection.” It is in the fellowship of the bread and the fish that we grow slowly in the presence of Jesus. We grow in this fellowship to be fishers of men.
Transformation is not the absence of difficulties but the presence of possibilities through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Jesus enable my eyes to see what I cannot see, train my mind to think what I cannot think, steady my heart to ever desire for you. Amen
Rev. Abraham Kuruvilla
Emmanuel MTC. Lubbock