"Bring some of the fish which you have now caught."
John 21:10
Peter's denial of Jesus was an epic failure of leadership, and it plagued him in the deepest recesses of his soul. A witness to the empty tomb, and the manifest Presence of the Risen Christ, Peter still did not grasp the power of the resurrection. He had returned to the one thing he knew, fishing. He failed again.
Peter left a huge catch, jumped into the water and swam towards the beach when he heard the words, "It is the Lord." When he came into The Presence of The Risen Christ, Jesus didn't rebuke the weary disciple for his failure. He simply said, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught."
Obedience to the King is the pledge of allegiance in His Kingdom. Immediate obedience breaks a hardened heart and opens it up to the love of Jesus. Peter didn't need more fish in boat. He needed Jesus in his life.
"Two things break the heart of The Savior. Rebellion and repentance."
Don Miller, 1922-2015
I miss Chuck Colson's prophetic voice. He made an astute observation of Vocational Guidance Counselors who once served the public high schools of this nation. The title of their office was rooted in the Latin word, 'vocere," meaning "to call." This referred to the nature of their work, assisting students in the discovery of their personal calling in life. His point? Every person created by God has a calling. Discover yours.
For 40 days The Risen Christ taught His followers about The Kingdom. He initiated His relationship with His disciples, by calling them with two words, "Follow Me." They were not called to follow a creed, a religion, a tradition, a way of life, or a world view. They were called to accompany Jesus and walk with Him, talk with Him, learn from Him, and obey Him.
The power of the resurrection transformed ordinary people in The Roman Empire into extraordinary citizens of The Kingdom of God. Peter remained an ordinary fisherman without the power of the resurrection. The Risen Christ revealed His power is still found in His Presence.
When Jesus warned His disciples. "Apart from Me, you can do nothing," He was not overstating His case or denying their significance in His Kingdom. He was calling The citizens of His Kingdom to abide in His Presence. Good citizens follow His call and abide where He guides.
The King still calls His citizens to follow Him out of one world and into another. Loyalty in His Kingdom is not expressed by repeating a pledge of allegiance, but by carrying out a fresh act of obedience.
Answering the King's call and obeying His commands are the signs of a loyal citizen and these acts of obedience are always expressed in the present tense. In The Wilderness the children of Israel learned they could not live on yesterday's manna. They could not hoard God's provision or dodge His Presence. Neither can you.
Personal revival begins with a fresh act of obedience. Sustaining revival comes from keeping your obedience up to date. The power of the resurrection is fueled by obedience, but it is quenched by disobedience. When you fail to pray you begin to stray into disobedience.
"Revival is a fresh act of obedience." Charles Finney
When Peter took it upon himself to go fishing on the Sea of Galilee, he drifted from the calling Jesus had placed on his life. Meeting The Risen Christ on the beach must have reminded Peter of the first time he heard Jesus say, "I will make you fishers of men." Peter traded his calling for a career. Don't ever do it.
Satan hates what is good for you, but he is even more of an enemy of the best God has for you. He will allow you to spend your life being consumed with doing something good if it will keep you from experiencing God's best for you.
Fishing on the Sea of Galilee was a good idea. it just wasn't God's idea. Any prayerless idea holds the potential of a careless act. Take a lesson from Peter's learning curve. Learn to tell the difference between a good idea and God's idea. Prayer helps.
The Risen Christ welcomed Peter to sunrise breakfast on the beach. He invited him to bring some of the fish he had caught, and add them to what He had already prepared. Jesus wasn't waiting for Peter to provide what was needed. He already had what Peter needed. He offered this weary disciples the privilege of joining Him in what He was doing for them, and to enjoy His company. He still does.
Jesus never calls His followers to race to Him to meet His needs. He invites His disciples into His Presence to meet their needs. Weary disciples still race to the sound of His voice, embrace His Presence, and obey the first things He commands them to do. Immediate obedience is the pledge of allegiance in His Kingdom. Pray and obey.
NOTE TO SELF: You are called to follow Jesus. Get this right. He leads. You follow. He commands. You obey. Accompany Jesus. Don't race ahead of Him. Embrace Him. When you pray, you enter into His Presence. When you obey you stay in His Presence and you experience the power of His resurrection. Don't delay.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!