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

Wednesday, December 23, 2026

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

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Illustration

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

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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.

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