Subscription Lists

We move into John Chapter 21. You cannot turn the clock back, but sometimes disciples of Jesus Christ want to turn the clock back. It is as if these disciples of Jesus wanted to turn the clock back some three years, but it was a bit of a disaster to try to do this as we shall see.

We normally make this attempt to return to yesterday, because we might have thought things were better. The world refers to the good old days, but they were not always that good.

The Bible warns us about thinking that days gone by were better.

Can it be possible to have met the risen Christ and yet face impending disaster? Yes.

Many over the years have thought and even said, "Ach, I'm fed up with this whole church thing."

These men had met Jesus Christ risen from the dead – alive! Jesus had given them peace. Jesus had breathed new life into them. Jesus had appeared on more than once occasion. You would have thought that would have answered all their questions and doubts, and dealt with all their problems.

Consider what we have from the Gospels – the testimony of the women folks - the appearance to Peter - the men on the Emmaus Road - Jesus appearing in that upper room - how much more evidence does a man need? And yet, they went back home – to the fishing!

What was going through these men's minds? They had been through a traumatic experience. Jesus had been killed - murdered - crucified - laid in a tomb - and now He was risen and living and they had met Him.

Peter had met Jesus on at least three occasions. Are they suffering from shock? Had all this been just a dream?

Do they think that the real world is out there and not in the fellowship of disciples?

What was this almost make-believe world which was before them? What was it all about - this new thing?

"It was all right when He was with us, but now it looks as if we have to go and do this thing on our own." Can you not hear what might be surging through their minds? These were very ordinary men, just like you and me.

They are fishermen and tax collectors - not philosophers, idealists and dreamers.

They have been accustomed to working in the real world with fish and boats and nets and markets and money. What was this all about?

They are struggling, and the Bible does not try to hide or conceal this. They are struggling, just as at certain times we likewise struggle.

We do have to remember that as yet they had not received the anointing of the Holy Spirit - that Baptism about which Jesus had spoken, and which is so essential for effective ministry.

They felt the pull of the old world - the pull of the world they knew, and in which they felt at home - the familiar surroundings and smells and securities, which would give them a degree of safety and reassurance after all they had been through - the so-called secure world from which they had been called by Jesus Christ.

What lessons for us, as for them. This was not theory.

They were uncertain as to what they should be doing. Jesus had told them to wait, and waiting is not easy, especially not for a man like Peter. Waiting can be a problem. We are not very good when it comes to waiting and being patient. They did not know what they were waiting for, nor for how long they would have to wait.

Peter feels the pull of the old way of life, more than the others, and he says, "I'm going back out in the boat. I'm going fishing."

Seven of them had gone 100 miles north of Jerusalem. Maybe Peter thought that Jesus would not have him for a disciple now. "After all, I denied Him three times. I'm going back to the fishing. I'm going out fishing." The others say, "We are coming with you." Leaders lead - for good or for ill.

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

A Needy Man Calls Out for Help Jesus Responds and Answers