What Jesus Did! 'By the Familiar Sea' — John 21:1

Friday, December 23, 2022

We're Short of Our Goal...Will You Help?

Your support is truly needed. Even small donations makes a big difference!

 Donate Now
Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.
— John 21:1 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus appeared to his disciples again, this time in a very familiar place - the Sea of Galilee. For several of the apostles, this was the place where they had lived, fished or collected taxes, and built their lives. This was also the place Jesus had found them [1] and captured their hearts. In many ways, at this familiar place, Jesus would rekindle their sense of mission and ministry just like he had at first. Do you have a place where the Lord has been very real to you in the past - a familiar place where you have met him in quiet time, or he has touched you in some way? If not, I hope you will work to find such a place. If you do have such a place, I would encourage you to go back to that place from time to time and let Jesus renew and restore you and call you again to your life's mission and ministry as his disciple!

[1] Luke 5:1, 10-11, 27-28. (Levi is another name for Matthew.)

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous God, my heavenly Father, stir in me a holy passion to serve and honor you. I cannot manufacture that passion on my own, so I need the power of your Spirit and a deeper sense of your abiding presence in my life. Give me spiritual discernment so I can see the direction you are calling me to serve you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Back at the Beginning?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Sometimes things have a way of repeating themselves. The events in the verses below occurred after My resurrection. The apostle Peter...."
A Charcoal Fire & the Smell of Redemption
Article by Phil Ware
Why make someone relive his or her sin, why not just ignore it? Phil Ware continues his Saved at Sea series focusing on Peter's denials, his promises, his arrogance, his failure, and his restoration.

Illustration

Illustration of John 21:1 NLT — Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, December 23, 2022

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Festus and a Fair Trial' (Acts 25:13-16)
"A few days [after Paul appealed to have his case heard before Caesar,] King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Isaiah 54:17
""No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Ecclesiastes 9:10
""Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do," refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do......"
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 7:4-5
"How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!