By: Darin Smith
READ: John 21:1-14
John 21:12 (NIV) “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.”
Have you ever received a telephone call and failed to recognize the person on the other end of the line? Perhaps you accidentally said a person’s name and it was a completely different person. Or maybe you have felt awkward and didn’t bother to ask the person’s name. These situations can be very frustrating experiences because our voices often sound different in person than on the telephone.
One morning as the disciples were fishing they were called to the shore by a stranger to eat breakfast. They did not recognize the voice or the face of the person because they were so far away from shore and it was early in the morning.
After inviting them to shore, the man then instructed them to cast their nets on the other side of their boat. Sadly, the previous night had yielded no fish. This time, however, the catch was enormous – 153 fish total. By now everyone knew that the person on the shore was the resurrected Jesus. How exciting and reassuring this must have been! Jesus had appeared to them two times prior and “they knew it was the Lord” without saying a word (John 21:12)
So often Jesus is right in our midst and we mistake Him for someone else. We have to look to the shore where our Lord is preparing for us our daily nourishment (Matthew 6:11). He will strengthen and encourage us with heavenly manna. We have to dive in like Peter and go as fast as we can to be in His presence. He will whisper and remind us of His promise us to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). And then we must “wait in silence,” for He is our only source of hope and unchanging assurance (Psalm 62:5)
The Lord’s voice, presence, provision, wisdom, and direction are always clear to those who diligently seek Him. Who are you listening to today?
Faith Lesson: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:28
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