What's the Catch?

Jesus Continues To Work Wonders With Us As We Continue To Walk In Relationship With Him

John 17:3 NIV

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

After the Resurrection, the greatest of Jesus’ "signs", John records how Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalen at the tomb, then to His disciples who were hiding behind closed doors; then to Thomas who was absent and now hesitant to believe. After Thomas' confession of faith, "My Lord and my God", Jesus looks forward to people like us who would believe in the same way without physically seeing him like Thomas. At this point John gives his purpose statement for writing his Gospel which is so that we might come to this faith in Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. The Gospel concludes with one last "sign" and one last teaching as Jesus restores and reinstates Peter who had denied Him three times. It happened when Jesus Appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead and He himself rose from the dead. He does that miracle of resurrection in everyone who trusts in him. We live in newness of life. We live with the hope of future resurrection. But, what’s the catch? Often we come to Jesus like the rich man asking, “what must I do to be saved”. The final answer to him is the same as the answer to us: ‘let go of your old life and come follow me’. Let go of your old life, live your new life in faith-filled relationship with me and I’ll work wonders in and through you.

The opening event of this chapter, which focuses on an all-night fishing expedition by the apostolic band, is a living parable of how the risen Lord relates to his servants as they toil in this world. (R. Kent Hughes, PTW)

Without Jesus We Accomplish Nothing of True Worth (John 21:1-5)

John 21:1–5 (NIV)

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

Six of the remaining 11 disciples decide to follow Peter on a little fishing expedition. They know that Jesus is alive, his ready appeared to them. But, it doesn’t seem like they know what to do with themselves. They don’t seem to grasp the significance of what he’s done for them, and what he wants to continue to do with and through them. So, we find many of them in the same position they were when Jesus first found them—fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Once, when they had really decided to follow Jesus full-time and leave their fishing behind he had told them, “come follow me, and I will make you fishers of people”. That was still his mission for them, what he had taught and trained them to do. But, right now (even though they knew Jesus returned from the dead) they were right back to sitting on the same sea, seeking the same fish—filling their time with the familiar activity until they can find out what to do next. But, they were failing at the familiar. They spent all night fishing and caught nothing. This is what they were supposed to be good at they couldn’t even get that right.

Prior to his death, Jesus had told his disciples that, after he had risen, he would go before them into Galilee (Matt. 26:32/Mark 14:28). Following his resurrection, he told the women at the empty tomb to tell his disciples to go to Galilee, where they would see him (Matt. 28:10), something the angels reminded the women of at the tomb (Mark 16:7/Luke 24:6). In 21:1–14 Jesus’ meeting with his disciples in Galilee is recounted...It was natural that they would occupy themselves fishing while they waited for him. Though night-time was the best time for fishing, the disciples caught nothing. Such an experience was not without precedent for them (cf. Luke 5:5). (Colin Kruse, TNTC)

Mark 1:16–18 NIV

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Such ‘revelation’ or ‘manifestation’ is a common theme of the Fourth Gospel, but more commonly in reference to Jesus’ manifestation in the days of his flesh: e.g. John the Baptist came that Jesus might be revealed to Israel (1:31); in the first sign, Jesus revealed his glory (2:11), and throughout his ministry, climaxing in the cross/exaltation, Jesus revealed his Father’s name (17:6). Here, in resurrection body, he reveals himself. The implication of the wording seems to be that this resurrection appearance (undertaken, like all the others in the Fourth Gospel, at Jesus’ initiative) is itself a revelatory act. (D.A. Carson, PNTC).

Seven disciples are involved (2), notably all from the Galilee region, unless we except the two other disciples; but they could well have been Andrew and Philip, in which case the group comprised ‘the Galilee Seven’ within the apostolic twelve. It is noteworthy that Thomas is no longer inclined to forsake the fellowship of the others—wisely, as events proved. (Bruce Milne, TBST)

They needed that warm sunlit time. The conversation must have been lively. Old mysteries were rehashed, and some were cleared up. The Scriptures were avidly discussed. There was talk about the future. Most of all, there was talk, incessant talk, about Jesus. When would they see him again? What would he say? What would he do? (R. Kent Hughes, PTW)

They are coming to grips with the resurrection, but they still have not learned the profound truth that apart from Christ they can do nothing (15:5), and so that night they caught nothing (cf. Lk. 5:5). (D.A. Carson, PNTC).

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. In a similar way, neither Mary (20:15) nor the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:15–16) realized at first who it was when Jesus appeared to them. The boat was about 100 m offshore (21:8) and, in the early light of morning, it would not have been clear who it was standing on the shore. (Colin Kruse, TNTC)

The word paidia (niv ‘Friends’, frequently ‘children’) can be used much like British ‘lads’ or American ‘boys’ or ‘guys’ (cf. M. I. 170 n. 1). The word rendered ‘fish’ (prosphagion) is used only here in the New Testament. Strictly speaking it refers to a bit of something to eat, a titbit, which in the Galilean culture would often be a bit of fish. The mē that introduces the question expresses doubt or expects a negative answer: ‘Lads, haven’t you caught anything?’ (D.A. Carson, PNTC).

Jesus meets them again with one more miracle to make his point clear that he will make them fishers of people, and he will be the one to oversee the results. He calls out to them and asked the question that he already knows the answer to, “don’t you have any fish”. The disciples are forced to admit their failure. They worked hard all night and had nothing to show for it. They were empty. They had nothing for themselves or for anyone else.

They followed Peter, and they caught nothing. Disappointment and defeat may prepare us for a new manifestation of the grace and power of Jesus Christ To labour without His presence and blessing is like putting our treasure in a bag with holes. Failure in business may be a good preparation for spiritual success. (James Smith and Robert Lee, Handfuls on Purpose)

This was an honest confession of failure. They had taken nothing, so they made no attempt to make it look like something. They had nothing, neither for themselves nor for others, and they said so; and by so doing put themselves in a position to be blessed by the Lord. Beware of misrepresentation and exaggeration. Christ is interested in our reports. (James Smith and Robert Lee, Handfuls on Purpose)

We live out a tragedy of the greatest proportions when we will not even admit to ourselves that we have failed, whether it be in devotion to God, in relation to one another, or in our calling to serve. One of the great faults of the church and many Christian organizations is saying souls are being saved when they are not, asserting our effectiveness though we are effete, making claims for a ministry when we should be lamenting its failure, loudly proclaiming our effect on the world when the world does not even know we exist. The creative processes of the Holy Spirit, God’s power in our lives, become fully operable when we admit exactly where we are, owning our successes and our failures. (R. Kent Hughes, PTW)

John 15:5 NIV

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The disciples acknowledged their failure. I like to imagine that if the disciples had lied, Jesus would have disappeared or walked on the water to see their catch. But they told the truth. Malcolm Muggeridge has said that failure is the most creative phenomenon of life, and that is true. If we did not fail, we would never make any progress. Failure demands that we assess our past methods to see what we have done right or wrong. Failure helps us discard the moribund and obsolete and opens us to new ideas...Muggeridge beautifully says, “Christianity, from Golgotha onwards, has been the sanctification of failure.” Peter, the great rock, rose from the rock heap of failure. Our failures bring us face to face with the weaknesses and inadequacies that lie within, so that God’s strength can be made perfect in our weakness. (R. Kent Hughes, PTW)

When Jesus is Present He Continues to Work Wonders With Us (John 21:6-11)

John 21:6–8 NIV

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

Then, this figure on the shore who called them “friends” told them to throw their nets in on the right side of the boat with the assurance that they will find some. Early in the morning disciples may have already decided that they were done fishing for the moment. They may have already started to clean their nets (which wasn’t an easy task). They were probably already heading back to shore when they got this suggestion from the “stranger” on the shore. “Throw your net in on the right side of the boat and you’ll find fish”, when they been fishing and found nothing all night? He probably sounded too good to be true but they were willing to follow the suggestion. When they did they couldn’t even lift the nets back into the boat because of how big of a catch they had. This is reminiscent of an miracle Jesus preformed for them at the early stage of their journey (Luke 5:4-7)

Oh! sorrowful account to have to render to God and our fellow-men! Yet such it must be. But if Jesus shall come, how changed it all shall be! Then shall the preacher become wise: he shall know where and how to cast the net; he shall select those topics that shall stir the soul—that shall fire the heart. And then, Jesus being present, men shall be as willing to receive the gospel as the preacher is to preach it. It shall be as much the will of the fish to get into the net, as it is of the fishermen to cast the net. (Charles Spurgeon, Sermon)

The disciples were pros at fishing. They paid careful attention to equipment, greater attention to strategy. Peter and John knew how the fish surfaced, how to dip the oars quietly, how to cast the net. We know so many things about evangelism and ministry, but the Lord says, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). It is so easy to think we can do spiritual work on our own. We think that if we are overloaded and busy, God will understand if we do not take time to ask his direction. But Jesus says whatever is done like that amounts to nothing. You can witness and accomplish nothing. You can donate hundreds of hours to the church and see nothing come of it. You can preach, but it amounts to nothing. (R. Kent Hughes, PTW)

“Why the right side? Because that was the side they were directed to by Jesus! If He had said the left side, there would have been fish there. They would have swarmed there from every part of the Lake of Galilee, so anxious would they have been to be caught” (Boice, p. 347).

First, Jesus illustrates the secret of effective mission. There is a stark contrast between the results when the disciples went out on their own initiative, and caught nothing (3), and when they fished at the direction of Jesus and the boat was full of large fish (11); ‘apart from me you can do nothing’ (15:5)...the secret of effective mission lies on the other side of a discovery of our own utter impotence to produce ‘fruit that will remain’ no matter how learned or technically equipped we are. What we can do without Jesus is not ‘a little’; we can do nothing (3; cf. 15:5). It is by dying to our reliance on ourselves and our abilities that we discover resurrection life and the harvest of the kingdom. (Bruce Milne, TBST)

Now they take such a multitude of fish in their net that they are not able to draw it in. What tremendous, unexpected things happen when they obey the Lord. It is when I surrender this beloved church, which I am so eager to see become a spiritual center of power in the city, to the Lord that His Spirit moves and “fish are caught.” The more tightly I seek to control the program, insisting the fishing must be done my way, the more often the net is pulled up empty. (Roger Fredrikson, TPC)

The difference between success and failure was the width of the ship! We are never far from success when we permit Jesus to give the orders, and we are usually closer to success than we realize. (Warren Wiersbe, BEC)

A fisherman catches living fish, but when he gets them, they die. A Christian witness seeks to catch “dead fish” (dead in their sins), and when he or she “catches” them, they are made alive in Christ! Now we can understand why Jesus had so many fishermen in the disciple band. Fishermen know how to work. They have courage and faith to go out “into the deep.” They have much patience and persistence, and they will not quit. They know how to cooperate with one another, and they are skilled in using the equipment and the boat. What examples for us to follow as we seek to “catch fish” for Jesus Christ! We are indeed “fishers of men,” and there are “fish” all around us. If we obey His directions, we will catch the fish. (Warren Wiersbe, BEC)

Large quantities of ink have gone into explaining why there should be 153 fish. At the purely historical level, it is unsurprising that someone counted them, either as part of dividing them up amongst the fishermen in preparation for sale, or because one of the men was so dumbfounded by the size of the catch that he said something like this: ‘Can you believe it? I wonder how many there are?’...Even so, there may be symbolism in the sheer quantity, if not the number itself, since the Evangelist draws attention to it: but even with so many the net was not torn. It is hard not to see an allusion to Luke 5:1–11, where the nets were torn. This may suggest that the gospel net will never break, that there is no limit to the number of converts it catches (Bruce, pp. 401–402). If such symbolism is operating, it may owe something to Jesus himself, who elsewhere promised to make his disciples ‘fishers of men’ (Mk. 1:17). (D.A. Carson, PNTC).

Luke 5:5–6 NIV

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

This passage also speaks concerning the scope of mission work. The catch was an astonishing one, far beyond any expectations that the disciples might have had. (Bruce Milne, TBST)

It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. The evangelist’s reference to the number of fish is probably not meant to be symbolic, as some have suggested, but rather to emphasize the miraculous nature of the catch—there was a large number of fish, they were large fish, but even so the net was not torn. (Kenneth, Gangel, HNTC)

“For it is only by your grace that I was chosen to serve you; only by your strength that I am even able to service; only by your faithfulness that I am still serving you today.” (Ken Gire, Instructive Moments With The Savior)

By this sign which followed, John was constrained to say, “It is the Lord.” This is the Lord’s doing; John feels that it is so like Him. Yes, it is just Christ-like to turn our total defeat into unprecedented success, through the giving of His Word and the believing of it. It is in “this wise” that sinners are converted, and fruitless Christians made wise to win souls. (James Smith and Robert Lee, Handfuls on Purpose)

Because of how they were able to catch the fish, and how many fish they caught, these experienced fishermen understood that this was much more than a coincidence—it was a miracle bought about by Jesus and occasioned by their willingness to listen and obey. It mirrored something Jesus had done among them in the beginning of the journey (Luke 5:5-10). He hasn't changed. They can still experience the same wonders as they continued to walk with him. The “disciple Jesus loves” (which, most believe was John’s way of speaking of himself) saw through the sign to the one who performed. He knew now, that the stranger on the shore was actually their Lord. He shouted out, and Peter quickly dove in to the water and swam to shore, excited to see Jesus. The language here reminds me a little bit of Jesus taking off his outer garments, and wrapping a towel around himself, filling a bowl with water, and come to a reluctant Peter. Here, Peter takes off his outer garments, wraps it around himself, and dives into the water. The one who once denied Jesus, couldn’t contain his excitement. So, he dove in to draw near to Jesus. Despite Peter diving in, the other disciples didn’t lose the catch. They hung on tight to it and “told” the net full of fish back to shore. They could get it all in, but they were going to get all there. Here, we also realize just how close to sure they were—only about 100 yards away (a football field).

This final “sign” serve to confirm a critical truth—namely, that this Jesus who died, was buried, and rose again to life, is the same as the one who initially called them to follow him. Jesus was still able to accomplish the seemingly impossible. He was still the Lord of all who could simply speak and provide what’s needed whether it’s wine for a wedding, health for a son, working legs that could walk, bread for the hungry, eyes that can see, or life from the dead. He is still Jesus. He is still working wonders around us: restoring what’s been ruined by sin, renewing lives, re-creating people (granting new life and new sight to the spiritually blind). He is still working on his disciples to help them see him more clearly and recognize the signs of his presence all around. He is still working through his disciples to accomplish his purpose, to show himself living and active, to enable them to be better fishermen who are fishers of people. This sign shows the importance of our obedience to the Lord’s instructions; and how much more affective our efforts can be when they are done by his direction and strength rather than our own efforts.

Jesus Continues To Work Wonders With Us As We Continue To Walk In Relationship With Him o Do His Wondrous Works With and Within Us (John 21:9, 21:12-14)

Luke 5:8–10 NIV

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

For Peter there is a summons to action: As soon as he heard him say ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him … and jumped into the water (7). (cf. ‘then Simon Peter, … arrived and went [straight] into the tomb’, 20:6.) Peter’s girding himself probably implies that he was lightly clad for his work and simply tucked the garment up around him so as not to impede his swim ashore. There may also be just a hint of the proprieties of worship which both Old and New Testaments mention (Ex. 20:26; 1 Cor. 11:2ff.). Peter is about to meet his ‘Lord and God’; he will be suitably clad. (Bruce Milne, TBST)

When the disciples reached the shore they realize that Jesus wasn’t just about leading them, he was also about feeding them. He had made them breakfast. They found a fire of burning coals with fish on it and some bread. While Jesus was happy to provide from his own surplus, he was also willing to invite them to contribute what he had enabled them to catch. He told them to “bring some of the fish” that they call. Peter, still full of eager excitements, climbs back into the boat (probably to unhook the nets, which are mainly hanging over the outside). Then, he (perhaps with the help of the others considering how heavy it was) drag the net for sure. John only focuses on Peter’s actions, probably anticipating the interaction between him and Jesus it’s about to happen. Now, we get a fuller understanding of just how full of fish in these nets were. There were 153 “large” fish. This is stated as though it’s a staggering number. Then, John adds to how significant this “sign” was by mentioning his surprise at the fact that the nets did not break under such a great weight. So, not only did Jesus work through them to catch such an amazing amount of fish, but he also saw to it that the nets were secure until the entire catch was brought back to shore. In the same way, Jesus is working through the church to the “fishers of people”. He will provide the catch, and he will secure each one until we arrive at the heavenly shore.

In the days of his flesh, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet (13:1–17). Now, as their risen Lord, he serves them still (cf. also v. 13): he meets their tiredness after a night of toil with a hot breakfast. They can begin to eat what he has cooked while some of the fish they have just caught are prepared. (D.A. Carson, PNTC).

John 21:12–14 NIV

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Three “invitations” stand out in John’s Gospel: “Come and see” (John 1:39); “Come and drink” (John 7:37); and “Come and dine” (John 21:12). (Warren Wiersbe, BEC)

Even in His resurrection body the Lord was not unmindful of the bodies of His cold and hungry disciples. This is another revelation of His love and care for His own...“My God shall supply all your need” (Phil. 4:19). The Son of God is always before us in His providential arrangements. (James Smith and Robert Lee, Handfuls on Purpose)

If any of you are in needy and trying circumstances, catch at this fact, and be encouraged. He that said to the seven, “Come and break your fast,” will not forget you in the time of your need. On your part, now is the time for the exercise of faith; and on his part, now is the season for the display of his power. (Charles Spurgeon, Sermon)

Jesus invites them to breakfast as a sense of holy wonder falls upon them. ‘In awestruck silence they eat. They dare not ask, “who are you?” for the answer could only be “I am”. So they eat what the Lord gives them and the sharing of the meal is the unveiling of his presence’ [L. Newbigin].(Bruce Milne, TBST)

Many things call for your earnest attention; but it will be poor haste if you rush to work without refreshing the inner man. Pause a while, and feast with your Lord, in order that you may be able to attend to your pressing duties. If you had a tree to fell, you would count it no loss of time first to sharpen your axe. When the axe is sharp, then the tree will come down all the sooner: sharpen, therefore, the axe of your mind. This morning have nothing to do but to attend to the commissariat of your soul. The Lord’s first miracle was at a wedding feast; and in the miracle now before us he provides a breakfast. His is no starveling gospel, he giveth us all things richly to enjoy. (Charles Spurgeon, Sermon)

The passage also vividly illustrates our communion with Jesus. The invitation to share a meal has larger significance in the east than a simple social pleasure. It implies an invitation to fellowship, to the communion of hearts. Jesus had promised his disciples that after the ‘little while’ he was taken from them he would come back to be with them (16:16–22), This new relationship, they are learning, cannot be in the same tangible terms as before. But it is nonetheless real and satisfying; indeed it is part of the ‘better’ thing that the Holy Spirit will bring at his coming (16:7). Jesus himself will come and make his home among them (14:23); they are not to be abandoned like orphans (14:18). This passage illuminates this new relationship which is still available. It is based on his initiative, as we noted (12). It is a practical relationship, expressed amid the everyday, concrete realities of hard work, professional skills, the search for food and the preparing of meals. Jesus’ provision for them is thoroughly practical also. Just as in the upper room he took a basin and towel and ministered to their practical needs, so by the lake-shore his provision is similarly down-to-earth. ‘My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 4:19). (Bruce Milne, TBST)

Is it not wonderful that the Holy Lord should have communion with his faulty followers? Yet he will breakfast with us—with us who doubted him, as Thomas did; with us who denied him, as Peter did; with us who forsook him and fled, as all the rest did...Come along with you, you child of God, conscious of your gross unworthiness; come, for he invites you now to feast with himself. This shall be your nourishment, not alone the food which he prepares for you, as his own company. (Charles Spurgeon, Sermon)

The graciousness of that communion with Jesus is also indicated. These are ordinary men whom Jesus invited to his table of fellowship that day; public failures like Peter, known doubters like Thomas, loyal and faithful souls like Nathanael, men of irascible temperament like the sons of Zebedee, and two others who do not even rate having their names mentioned, ‘background’ folks like the two other disciples. To that deeply human company Jesus opens the riches of his friendship—also, therefore, to us. (Bruce Milne, TBST)

Jesus still invites his disciples to eat with him (Rev. 3:20; also 1 Cor. 11:23–26). "Come and dine! the Master calleth, come and dine! “You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time. He who fed the multitude, Turned the water into wine, Says to hungry, thirsting sinners, Come and dine! Anon." (Bruce Milne, TBST)

Revelation 3:20 NIV

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Here, however, he reassures them, meets their physical needs, serves them as he did before his passion. It is a time for them to adjust to the new eschatological situation; it is a time sufficiently symbol-laden, in a culture where symbols were more highly regarded than in our own, to speak to them powerfully, as they meditated upon it, about the Lord’s continued presence and power with them as they prosecuted the mission with which he charged them. (D.A. Carson, PNTC).

Jesus invited his disciples to sit with him and have breakfast. At this point they all knew that it was him. And that’s the point. He wanted to show that post-resurrection He was still the one they had come to know, the one they followed, lived with, eat with, ministered alongside, learned from. He still simply wanted a relationship with them. That’s the catch. It’s about having a relationship with Jesus and living life with him. They had seen the signs of his presence and power with them. Now, they felt the warmth of his love for them as he made them breakfast, sat and ate with them. He took bread and fish and served it to them. This is the 3rd time, we’re told, that Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection. But, this sign and appearing signified Jesus's continued work in and through his disciples, as a well as his continued presence with his disciples. He called them into discipleship, and even after his resurrection he continues to call them into relationship. This truth would be further emphasized in his discussion with Peter in the next passage. He was still looking to work in and through Peter’s life. He was still willing to be in relationship with Peter. Jesus still desires to be in relationship with each of us, and he still is working in the and through us to accomplish his good purpose in this world. Do we see the signs of his presence and power with us? Are we responding to his command so that we can see what he can accomplish through it our grace enabled efforts? Are we sitting with him, eating with him, spending time with him to develop that relationship that he’s called us into? Sometimes the gospel seems too good to be true we’re tempted to wonder “what’s the catch”. But, the only catch is that we receive the gift that Jesus offers by faith, respond to his call with obedience, and relate to life. That’s why he died and that’s what he wants, for us to believe in him, follow him, and relate to him.

This is your morning’s portion: do not miss it. “He showed himself.” Is it weeks since you have seen your Lord? Oh! then, heave a great sigh, and say, “Lord, show thyself to me.” Is it days since you have had actual fellowship with Jesus? Oh, that your heart might break after him now! Do not be satisfied to let this morning’s sitting break up without your having seen the Lord—every one of you who are his true disciples. O dear friends, you that hear about Christ, and just let it glide by, what are you worth? What sort of Christians are those who do not know the vitals of Christianity, the secret enjoyments of rapturous love? Outside in merely external religion everything is cold and dreary, and I do not wonder at people getting weary of it, and giving it up. The glory lies within the veil. We must see Jesus. Our home is where God reveals himself to his people. Little drops of religion are poor things...Oh, to be borne along by the stream of free grace and dying love, until one is conscious of nearing the unfathomable depths of love unsearchable! Thus much about our host. Mine is a poor talk. God grant that, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, you may get far beyond me, and see him, whom having not seen we love! (Charles Spurgeon, Sermon)

John’s words at the realization of the great catch, “It is the Lord!” express the ideal for all of us as we toil through life. In the darkness, “It is the Lord!” In our failures, “It is the Lord!” When our nets are full, “It is the Lord!” In all of life, “It is the Lord!” teaching us that we must rest and depend on him. (R. Kent Hughes, PTW)

Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead and He himself rose from the dead. He does that miracle of resurrection in everyone who trusts in him. We live in newness of life. We live with the hope of future resurrection. But, what’s the catch? Often we come to Jesus like the rich man asking, “what must I do to be saved”. The final answer to him is the same as the answer to us: ‘let go of your old life and come follow me’. Let go of your old life, live your new life in faith-filled relationship with me and I’ll work wonders in and through you.

Jesus Continues To Work Wonders With Us As We Continue To Walk In Relationship With Him