Jesus Stood on the Shore

Warriors Arise: August 24, 2020

John 21:1-4 (NKJV) After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Three and a half years earlier Jesus stayed up all night praying, asking God to show Him the ones who would become His disciples and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The disciples had been in the boats a number of times and Jesus watched what they were doing. One time He actually slept while they were fighting a ferocious storm, rowing and bailing water. Here in John 21, I can only imagine what Jesus was thinking, as He saw they had been out all night and caught nothing.

Three and a half years earlier Jesus stood on the shore and watched them fish when he called them to be His disciples. Another time, Jesus was on the mountain praying when a storm came. He saw His disciples bailing out water and rowing with all their might. Jesus walked on the water, nearly passing by, not because He could see them, but because they needed to be reminded to see Him. The disciples see Him and think He is a ghost. Eventually, Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water to Jesus.

Our family was reading Matthew a month ago and I learned something I hadn't put together before. Did you know the Sea of Galilee is not where Jesus said to meet Him? Yes, they are in Galilee but Jesus had told them to meet Him on a particular mountain.

Matthew 28:16 (NKJV) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.

Once again, the disciples are not where they are supposed to be. They are not where Jesus told them to meet Him. At least they aren't still in Jerusalem, they have come to Galilee. Galilee isn't a small village it is a large region of land. For Jesus to say, meet me in Galilee would definitely leave room for one's interpretation. Jesus and His disciples had spent quite a bit of time in Galilee doing the Word of God and teaching the people. Jesus didn't just send them to Galilee, He sent them to a mountain He had appointed for them.

This history gives me such hope. When I am immoveable and my faith is lacking, Jesus comes to me like He did to the disciples. He will meet me in my Jerusalem, the last place I saw Him. It may not be where He told me to go, if I am stuck in the mire of despair like the disciples. I need Him to come and remind me what He said and where I am to go.

When I need to be given the same evidence as someone else has been given, He is not mad at me. He comes to me like He did Thomas. He reveals His love specifically for me, in my area of need. And then I go. I go where He said He would meet me again.

The disciples are sidetracked on their way to meet Jesus. They return to what they used to know, to their old way of life, to a life of hard work, a pay check, and security. Some of us may call this the easy way out. I have also found myself in the trap of what is easy. Saying to myself, "Surely, this is what God wants me to do." I pass off what God has told me to do, where He has told me to be, in order to do something that made we hard work but it offers security and less stress. But God won't leave me there. The temptation is great, but it is not worth it. It could only be second best to what God has for me. Then I have to wonder, what would it cost me. To reject what God has told me to do in order to take something else, is nearsightedness. I see only what is before me; hard work, a pay check, and security, and not the effects of what I have given up. Then Jesus stands on the shore...

What is He doing? He doesn't call out to His disciples immediately. He waits for them to recognize Him just as He has done in the past. Jesus is wanting for us to see Him. He has called them to be His disciples, He has ministered to them, trained them, and commissioned them. Why have they returned to their old way of life? Why are they not on the mountain where He instructed them to be?

Father, You have come to me when I pray. You have made Yourself known in my presence. You have given me purpose and a plan to fulfill that purpose. I pray I would remain devoted to fulfilling what You have called me to do. I pray I would meet You where You have told me to be. I pray I would turn away from distractions. I pray I would not get caught up in the possibilities of returning to my old life. Yes, it is hard work. Yes, it has some, security but only because it is familiar. I need Your help to remain focused on what You have called me to do. I can take the easy way out, the familiar and secure but You are not finished with me yet. I ask for a passion that burns to go where You tell me to go and do what You have told me to do. I pray for eyes that will not look to the left or the right but will be set on You. I will go and meet You and follow Your plan. I will walk with purpose and expectancy as I go where You tell me to go. I submit my thoughts and my desires to Your will. I put myself under Your guidance. I yield to Your purpose for my life. I will not get distracted. I will not reject Your directions. I will not take my own path. I will listen to You. I will follow You. I will walk in the truth of Your Word for my life in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.