Friday, July 24, 2009

Recognizing the Lord

Recognizing the Lord

and run to Him

But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. John 21:5

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This miracle took place after Jesus resurrected. He revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea. They went fishing and couldn't catch anything all night, and at the end of the day, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was He. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they did as he said it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish, 153 all together. The disciple whom Jesus loved, John, said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, he was stripped for work, but the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, they were not far from the land. When they got out on land, they saw a fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus was waiting and said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught and come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

The one thing that touches me the most is Jesus’ love for the disciples. He cared about every aspect of their lives. He knew they were sad after His death. Because by the time this story took place, He had already appeared to them twice before but yet they were still depressed; they went back to doing whatever they were doing prior to meeting Jesus. This apparition was exactly what they needed. John was the first to recognize the Lord and Peter jumped off the board and ran toward Him. It must have been an exciting experience. Jesus knew what they needed and He gave it to them…hmmm. What is your need? I wonder what miracle God will perform in your life at the right time?

Do you run to the Lord when you encounter challenges, sickness and pain disappointments and recognition, joy and sorrow? or do you run further away from Him? The Lord is always ready and willing to renew our faith and to give us hope in His promises. There are great rewards when you recognize and acknowledge the Lord's presence. It was after recognizing the Lord that Jesus said to Peter that he would be 'catching people" for the kingdom of God. What a great revelation! Who knows what miracle God will perform in your life when you finally recognize Hi, and run to Him?

Praise the Lord!