What Jesus Did : John 21:2-3 - What to Do?
by Phil Ware
What to Do? - John 21:2-3
Some of the followers were together. They were Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the two sons of Zebedee, and two other followers. Simon Peter said, "I am going out to fish." The other followers said, "We will go with you." So all the followers went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
What do you do when you don't know what to do? The disciples weren't really sure what they were supposed to do with the resurrected Jesus. This response was to be expected; after all, none of them had ever had a friend rise from the dead and Jesus hadn't yet told them of their mission. Two things, however, are crucial in their response. First, they hung together. They knew they were bound together by something, and Someone, very significant. So they didn't let go of each other. Second, they stayed in Galilee near the Sea—a familiar place and also the place Jesus told them to go after his resurrection. In other words, when all else fails, and you're not sure what to do, stick with other believers and obey the Lord's clear instructions. Doesn't sound very fancy, but it was the key for the disciples meeting Jesus and being called to the next level of mission with him.
Today's Prayer
Father, I confess that I often want things to be spectacular or exciting or inspiring. Yet I know that so often my sense of your presence and my most effective ministry occurs when I go do the next right thing that I know Jesus wants me to do and I do that with other believers. Give me a heart of obedience and a passion to be with your people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Later, Jesus showed himself again to his followers. This was by Lake Tiberias (Galilee). This is how it happened: Some of the followers were together. They were Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the two sons of Zebedee, and two other followers. Simon Peter said, "I am going out to fish." The other followers said, "We will go with you." So all the followers went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing. Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore. But the followers did not know it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to the followers, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" The followers answered, "No." Jesus said, "Throw your net into the water on the right side of your boat. You will find some fish there." So the followers did this. They caught so many fish that they could not pull the net back into the boat. The follower that Jesus loved said to Peter, "That man is the Lord (Jesus)!" Peter heard him say, "That man is the Lord." Peter put his coat around himself. (Peter had taken his clothes off {to work}.) Then he jumped into the water. The other followers went to shore in the boat. They pulled the net full of fish. They were not very far from shore, only about 100 yards. When the followers stepped out of the boat and onto the shore, they saw a fire of hot coals. There were fish on the fire and some bread there too. Then Jesus said, "Bring some of the fish that you caught." Simon Peter went into the boat and pulled the net to the shore. It was full of big fish. There were 153. The fish {were very heavy}, but the net did not tear. Jesus said to them, "Come and eat." None of the followers would ask him, "Who are you?" They knew he was the Lord. Jesus walked to the food. He took the bread and gave it to them. Jesus also got the fish and gave it to them. This was now the third time Jesus showed himself to his followers after he was raised from death.-- John 21:1-14 (ERV)
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