The Power of Prayer

Again, I want to welcome all who are joining us online tonight.

As I prayed about what I would share with you tonight, I actually went back and forth between two different passages, but finally came to rest on the passage I feel the Lord wants to speak to us through tonight. And to some degree it continues with what we talked about last week.

If you recall last week we talked about how the disciples went from life being everything they hoped it could be with Jesus to the bottom falling out as Jesus was arrested and crucified. A moment they didn’t see coming. A moment that rocked their world and left them discouraged, confused, and hiding in a room together.

But then Easter happened, Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to the disciples, and now it appears life is back on track, and the disciples are moving forward once again. Or are they?

Because following the resurrection of Jesus, there is an incident that took place between Jesus and the disciples that would say otherwise. An incident that I find rather fascinating.

The incident is found in John 21, and it involves Peter and six other disciples. An incident that highlights what the disciples haven’t learned through this entire ordeal and what is going to keep them from moving forward if they’re not careful.

And so, here’s what I want to do. First, I want to read through this story, and as we read through the story, I’m going to make some observations concerning what is happening.

Second, as we walk through the story, I’m want to give some application to how this applies to us, and what could happen to us as well if we’re not careful.

So, let’s go to John 21 as John describes this incident following the resurrection of Jesus. Beginning verse 1 John writes:

John 21:1–3 ESV

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 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 will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Do you see what I mean? Kind of an intersting passage right? So, let’s break it down from the top.

Notice first that John begins by saying, “After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias...”

The point being, that prior to this incident, the disciples know Jesus is alive. That’s why John says, “After this”, because right before this incident they had all seen Jesus. In fact, they had all stood in a room with Jesus while Thomas examined the wounds and verified it was Jesus. In John 20, John writes:

John 20:27–28 ESV

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

All that to say, this isn’t the first time Jesus has appeared to them following His resurrection. In fact, it will have been the third time.

And that’s what makes what happens next so curious. Because Luke goes on to tell us that after seeing Jesus face to face, Peter says to the disciples, “I am going fishing”.

Kind of odd, right? Now, you might be wondering, “Ok, so what’s the problem with that?” Maybe Peter just needed to unwind. Or maybe he was bored. Or maybe he just likes fishing.”

The problem here is that Peter isn’t going fishing because he needs to unwind, is bored, or likes fishing. The implication here is that Peter is going fishing because he’s going back to what he did before he met Jesus. In other words, he’s returning to his old occupation pre-Jesus.

Why? Because apparently, Peter still doesn’t understand what has happened, why it has happened, and what Jesus is trying to show him. Because as we discussed last week, none of this has gone according to plan. In Peter’s mind, this isn’t the way it was supposed to work out. And yes, He’s happy Jesus is alive, but it’s not what he signed up for. So, he’s going back to fishing.

And so he decides post crucifixion and post resurrection to go back to what he knows. He goes back to the point where Jesus initially found him. He goes back to being a fisherman.

And apparently he’s not the only one that feels that way. Because John says the others followed suit as they respond by saying , “We will go with you.”

In other words, “We’re with you Peter. Let’s go back to our normal life. Let’s go back what we know. Let’s go back to the way it used to be before all this craziness started. This isn’t what we signed up for.”

So, what exactly is going on here? Why are the disciple responding this way to Jesus?

What’s going on is even though Easter has happened, even though the disciples have seen the risen Jesus, they want life to go back to the way it used to be. Back when they didn’t have all this pressure. Back when they didn’t have to hide in a room. Back to when life was more predictable. They just want to go back to fishing. This has been more than they can handle.

So, a great question at this point would be, “How does this apply to us?”

I believe it applies in this sense.

Right now we are navigating the Corona Virus Pandemic. And let’s just be honest, it’s a frustrating time. It’s a confusing time. In fact, if I’m being transparent, when the Governor extended the stay at home order to May 3rd today, I was very discouraged by that. Because like the disciples, I don’t like how this is turning out. I was hoping we’d be having church by Mother’s Day. To be honest, I just want things to go back to the way they were before all this nonsense started. I’m ready to go back to fishing.

But here’s the reality. Through this pandemic, Jesus is trying to show us something. He’s trying to reveal himself to us. Jesus is trying to help us understand something He’s about to do. He’s trying to show us a new work He wants to do in and through us.

And the problem for you and I is, if we can’t get our eyes off the way it used to be, or if we can’t get our eyes off the way we think it should be, or if we can’t stop wishing things would just return to normal, then we may miss out on what Jesus is trying to show us.

And that’s not just true for the church, that’s also true for your marriage.

The fact is, through this extra time at home at night, maybe God is trying to show you something that needs to change in your marriage. Something that can’t stay the same. Your marriage can’t go back to fishing as normal.

It’s true for your parenting. That maybe God is trying to show you something with your kids. That maybe you’ve spent too much time not spending time together. That maybe it’s time to put the brakes on, and when this is all over, not go back to fishing as normal.

It’s true for your spiritual life. That maybe God is trying to show you something about your walk with HIm. He wants you to make some changes. He wants you to grow in some new areas. He doesn’t want you to go back to fishing when this is all over.

It’s true for your calendar. That maybe God is trying to show you you’ve been too busy. You’ve had too many unfruitful obligations. You’ve had the wrong priorities. You’re like a chicken running around with your head cut off. . And now He wants you too make some changes. He doesn’t want you to go back to fishing when this is over.

Because the reality is, the Corona Virus isn’t going to last forever. There is a day coming when life will resume to what we might call normal. But the real question will be, “Will you go back to life as normal? Will you go back to what is comfortable? Will you go back to what you know? Will you go back fishing. Or will this experience have changed you? Will this experience have giving you new insight and a better understanding of what God wants to do in and through you?”

Because here’s the deal, you can go back to fishing. You can go back to your normal routine, normal way of thinking, normal activities, normal hobbies, normal friendships, normal shopping patterns, normal social gatherings, and the list goes on. But I can promise you, they won’t be fulfilling. In fact, what I think you’ll find, is some of them will leave you feeling empty.

How do I know? I know because of what John tells us next. Because listen to how John says going fishing worked out for the disciples.

John writes, “They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” John 21:3b (ESV)

John says after deciding to go back to fishing, they caught nothing. Nada. Why?

Because that’s not where Jesus wanted them to go. That’s now where the blessing was. That’s now where their new purpose and direction would be found.

You see, Jesus didn’t want them to go backwards. Instead, He wanted them to go forward. He wanted them to embrace a new direction and a new purpose. A direction and purpose that wasn’t going to be found in what they used to do, in fishing.

And please hear me, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with going back to certain things in our life when this is all over. Because some of those things are healthy and good. But I have a feeling that there are some things that God doesn’t want you to go back too. Areas of your life that weren’t healthy or helpful.

Friendships in your life that were keeping you from growing spiritually.

Ways of thinking that were limiting your ability to be used by God.

Certain patterns and ways of living that were unhealthy.

Activities and hobbies that had become way too important in your life.

Stuff God doesn’t want you to go back to. Why? Because it won’t lead you to where God wants to take you.

Because I believe through this Pandemic, Jesus is trying to show us something. Trying to show you something. Trying to take you somewhere and push you into something new.

Something new for your marriage.

Something new in your parenting.

Something new in your work environment.

Something new in your occupation.

Something new when it comes to ministry involvement.

Something new when it comes to friendships.

Something new in your spiritual life.

But in order to see it, you have to quit looking back to what you used to do, what was comfortable, and what was normal. And in the uncomfortableness of this pandemic, you have to start looking forward to what God wants to do in and through you. Because the fact is, Jesus is trying to show you something, but if you’re not careful, you’re going to end up going back to fishing. Going back to how you did life before the corona virus. Back to the way your marriage was. Back to old habits that weren’t healthy. Back to friendships that aren’t helpful. Back to a way of life before Jesus showed up in the middle of the Corona Virus and tried to show you something new He wanted to do in and through you.

So, as we close tonight, I have two questions for you to consider and pray about this week.

The first question is this:

Question #1 - What is Jesus trying to show you through this Pandemic?

In other words, as you sit at home, with nothing more to do than watch tv, work in the yard, and spend time with your family, what is it Jesus is trying to show you?

Because the fact is, He’s trying to get your attention. He’s trying to show you something. And to do it, He’s halted everything in your life. He’s wiped your calendar clean. He’s canceled your summer plans. He’s confined you to a few places you can go. Why? Because I believe He wants to appear to you and set you on a new path. A better path.

So, I ask you again, what is Jesus trying to show you? I think that’s a question you need to ask Him.

Question #2 - After the pandemic is over, will you listen to Jesus, or will go back to fishing?

In other words, will you go back to the crazy calendar?

Will you go back to not spending time together?

Will you go back to old patterns?

Will you go back to a marriage holding on by a thread.

Will you go back to an empty boat with no fish.

My hope would be, that instead of going back to fishing, you would listen to what Jesus is saying, and allow Him to move you forward. Allow Him to take you into a new way of thinking. A new way of living. A new way of parenting. A new way of living life less for you, and more for Him.

Thankfully, that’s what the disciples ultimately choose. Because as Peter stood on an empty boat with no fish, Jesus once again spoke to Him. John writes:

John 21:4–8 ESV

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

John says through a miraculous moment, Jesus revealed himself once again to the disciples, and this time they listened. Because John says after recognizing it was Jesus, Peter through his garment off, and jumped into the sea and started swimming towards Jesus. Peter was finally ready to leave fishing behind Him. He was ready to embrace the new life Jesus had for Him.

And my prayer is, that through this pandemic, as Jesus speaks to you, that you would listen, hear Him, and leave your fishing behind. Leave behind you whatever it is that is going to keep you from moving forward with Him.

Let’s Pray