Monday Morning Devo - Fishing or Following?

Simon Peter said to them [some disciples], “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We are going with you also.” John 21:3, NKJV.

You probably know about this story already. I knew it before, too, but our pastor (Latu Tuetu'u) brought out something I hadn't thought of before.

In this story, Jesus had appeared to the disciples before. The most recent one, as mentioned in John 22, was when Jesus told Thomas to put a finger in the nail holes and a hand in His side. It wasn't long before outspoken Simon Peter got tired of waiting, and he announced he was going back to fishing, the profession that supported him before he became a disciple. Several of the others went with him.

So they went out on Lake Tiberius and fished all night with no luck. In the morning they headed back to shore. There stood the Lord, fixing breakfast for them.

While the others were eating, Jesus had a private talk with Simon. Three times, He asked Simon if the disciple loved Him. Three times, Simon Peter said yes, and the Lord said to feed and care for His sheep. I'm betting that, by the third time, Simon was remembering the three times he denied even knowing Jesus.

Then Jesus told him he was doing as he (Peter) wanted now, but there would come a time when others would take him where he didn't want to go. And this is what Pastor Latu said, that Jesus was telling Peter to stop going where he pleased and to finally really follow where Jesus wanted him to go. Playtime was over.

Lord, Thank You for the wakeup. I want to follow You 100% and leaving the fishing trips to those You haven't called. Help me heard Your call every time and to follow You wherever You want me to go. In Jesus's Name, Amen.