What Jesus Did! 'Peter and the Others' — John 21:8-11

Monday, December 26, 2022

The others stayed with the boat [after Peter swam to shore] and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them — fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

"Bring some of the fish you've just caught," Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn't torn.

— John 21:8-11 NLT

Key Thought

I'm one of "the others;" are you? In the Kingdom of God, work gets done because there are at least two types of servants. Some servants of God are superstars - they are bold, extravagant, and talented and do what many of us would like to do, and they do it to serve the King of Glory. On the other hand, some servants are like "the others" in this story - they do the tedious, hard jobs that get taken for granted while the superstars get all the notice. Jesus will confront the "superstar" Peter a few verses later in this story and gently humble him as he challenges him to direct his leadership to be more pastoral, more encouraging, and less self-aggrandizing. [1] It takes all types of servants in the Kingdom for great work to get done. We need passionate and bold out-front people, and we need hardworking behind-the-scenes people if the lost of the world are going to be brought safely home. Whichever kind of person you tend to be, please know you are needed, wanted, and vital for the work of the Kingdom!

[1] John 21:15-17.

Today's Prayer

Father, I offer myself, my talents, my gifts, my treasure, my time, and my future to you. Please use me to your glory and the benefit of your Kingdom. Take my personality and my interests, and use them effectively. Take my job and my hobbies, and use them as tools to influence others for you. I want to be used by you in work that matters to others eternally. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 4:10-11
  • Ephesians 4:4-7, 11-13
  • Romans 12:6-8

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

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A Charcoal Fire & the Smell of Redemption
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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.
Three Fires
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Jesus doesn't abandon us in our fire failure. Phil Ware reminds of three fires in the life of the apostle Peter and what they can mean for us.

Illustration

Illustration of John 21:8-11 NLT — "Bring some of the fish you've just caught,"

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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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