When the
sun came up, the tired fishermen thought, “We should have just stayed at home”.
As they had
done many times, Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John and two others had spent
the night on the Sea of Galilee.
Unfortunately, this was not really where they wanted to be. Until recently, they had left fishing behind
to follow a new teacher named “Jesus”.
They thought he was going to bring about a new earthly kingdom and they
were looking forward to being part of it, but that did not happen. Instead, Jesus was arrested, tried, crucified
and buried. Their hopes were also
“crucified and buried” and now they were fishing again.
As they
came to shore, a voice called out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” When they replied “No” the man said, “Throw
your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some”, so they
did. Soon their net was so full that
they could hardly haul it to the boat.
At that moment, John, peering through the pre-dawn darkness said, “It is
the Lord!” What happens next is worth
noting. Peter jumps in the water and
starts swimming the 100 yards to shore to meet Jesus (John 21:7).
Why is that
important? Well, if you remember, it was
not that long before this that Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Even though Jesus predicted it and even
though Peter swore that it would not happen (Matthew 26:31-35), it did
happen. In an effort to protect himself,
Peter, three times, said, “I don’t know the man!” (Matthew 26:69-75).
However,
even with that as the background, Peter is not fearful. When he knows that the man on the shore is
Jesus, he does whatever he can to get to him as quickly as possible. He does not hide in the boat. He does not try to avoid Jesus. Instead, Peter races to him.
If you have
ever been scared of God, or if you have ever wondered how he feels about you,
may I suggest that you remember this story about Peter? In fact, God’s own words make his feelings
very clear: “For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
No matter
where you have been, no matter what has happened, you never have to be scared
to come to God. He is ready and
waiting.
Get to him as
quickly as you can!
“The Lord … is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)
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