LifeLink Devotional

Friday, May 28, 2021

It’s already Friday and there is so much more to learn from the story of Jesus and the disciples following the miraculous catch of fish in John chapter twenty-one. Some of the truths will be covered on Sunday, but for today, here’s a few bullet points from this part of the story.

John 21:9-12  “When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

• It is the nature of Jesus to serve others, and He serves us from His inexhaustible supply of grace. Jesus had a charcoal fire going and was cooking bread and fish. Some of us may be puzzled with the question, “Where did he get the food?” Yet He who multiplied two fish and five small loaves of bread to feed five thousand people, and who is the Creator of all things, has no limitations on what He can provide to meet the needs of the ones He loves. But the real point is, Jesus saw the disciple’s need and met their need. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. He is Grace.
• Jesus invites us to receive the benefits of His grace. Jesus made breakfast for the weary fisherman. After a long night of futile fishing, followed by a morning miracle, Jesus calls them to come sit with Him and be refreshed. The food He cooked would refresh them, but the favor of His fellowship would have the most profound impact. Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two other disciples would be forever transformed by communion with the resurrected Savior. The fish were soon forgotten. The forgiveness and fellowship of Christ never is.
• When Christ has captured our hearts, we are invited to serve Him. “Bring some of the fish you have caught.” Jesus had provided some fish for breakfast, but He invited the disciples to bring some of the freshly caught fish to add to the meal. Remember, Jesus had given them those fish, just as He gives us all the things we need for life and godliness. Yet He invites us to serve Him with them all. The love of Christ compels us to serve Him with everything we have.
• Christ provides miraculous strength to do whatever He commands. “So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them.”  Commentators agree that the wet net and the 153 fish could have weighed as much as 300 pounds, and Peter dragged it to shore by himself. No Christ-assigned task is too great for those who obey because Christ is our strength.

I pray that something in these four points is exactly what you needed today!

Pastor John