Daily Devotions – Follow Me

Daily Devotions – Follow Me

 

Photo by Riddhiman Bhowmik on Unsplash

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

John 21:1-19 (NIV)
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
21 Afterward, Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “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. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 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. 7 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. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

 

What was Peter’s old vocational climate to which it seems he wanted to return? What new climate did Jesus have for Him?

 

As human beings, we often migrate to what is comfortable, especially in times of trial or stress. Simon Peter and the disciples were fishermen by trade. After Your death and resurrection, they were unsure of their future and migrated back to what was comfortable, fishing. I find myself looking for comfort by slipping back to old habits, doing mindless tasks, eating unhealthy foods, and pulling away from anything that makes me uncomfortable. You had a different solution for the disciples and You have a different solution for me too. Help me to put my focus on how much I love You every day and in all situations. By taking my eyes off of me and my concerns, awaken me to see the needs of others. Following You may not always be comfortable or easy, but the act of serving others will take away my self-pity and replace it with the joy of Your Gracious Spirit. Help me to do Your will and bring glory to Your Holy Name as I serve others in Your name. Lord, I want to Follow You. Amen.