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

Friday, December 23, 2022

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.

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

  • Mark 1:35-39
  • 1 Peter 2:9-10
  • Colossians 1:28-29

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

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

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Seeing that we have such a God to trust to, let us rest upon him with all our weight; let us resolutely drive out all unbelief, and endeavour to get....."
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God.""
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Child of the King, You are royalty. However, your royal lineage is not established by your race, your culture, your language, your education, or..."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders."

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.