Red Letters – Go Fish – April 6

RED LETTERS
April 6, 2021

Go Fish

John 21:4-6, ‘Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish (NIV).’

He was our best friend. From the moment any of us met Him, we were smitten by Him, His intensity, the prophetic words that came from His mouth, the enigma of this Jesus. Like a magnet, we were drawn to Him, captivated by Him and left everything behind to follow Him. We had no earthly idea what we were getting ourselves into or out of.

I was big and burly, handsome, I was told, and untamed, and my mouth got me into trouble often. I was enamored by this Jesus and had this innate fascination with challenging Him, mystifying and impressing Him, but, really, it was He that I was intrigued by, impressed with. I wanted to be just like Him, and I wanted Him to need me. He didn’t need anyone though and it took my entire Jesus-Journey for that to sink it to my thick skull. I had wasted so much time trying to prove myself and He didn’t need me to do that at all. He needed me instead to be faithful. But first I had to reconcile my cowardice and I didn’t know if I would ever be given that opportunity again.

Until now. John, well, he’s a funny fellow. Has some quirks. He thinks he’s the disciple Jesus loved! I mean, get outta here! He is soft-spoken and cuddly…and dependable; I’ll give him that. There’s this figure on the shore, and like a dog sniffing the air, John yells, ‘It’s Him! Jesus!’ I take one pause and plunge into the water; it is now or never. I have some mending to do. I should have known. We fished all night. Out of obstinance, I refused to give up but nary a fish. Then this figure directs our focus to the other side of my boat, and I had thought to myself, well that’s stupid! fish swim everywhere, but too tired to argue, we threw the net back in, and wa-la! we had more fish than we could haul into the boat; almost more than the net would hold. Sound familiar? Well, I dove straight in, clothes and all, but a memory of my feet stepping over the edge and tiptoeing on the surface was fresh in my mind.
I don’t know if I was more amazed at seeing Jesus standing there or touched by the breakfast that lay sizzling on the grate of the campfire. He had done so much for all of us but cooking breakfast for us was a new one. I’d never be able to make up to Him all He had showered on me; especially considering my denial of Him when He needed me most.

Something was up. I wanted to apologize but the part of my body that tended to work the best, my mouth, had shut down. I was tongue-tied in His presence and I could feel a change was underway. I opened my mouth to seek forgiveness from my friend but He nodded it away, asking me instead if I burned with love for Him. He asked me repeatedly even though I answered Him as honestly as I knew how. ‘Yes, Lord, You know I do,’ I replied over and again. I was even getting a little frustrated, but then the memory of the sound of that lonely rooster crow sent a chill down my spine. Instantly, I surmised; I had failed the previous exam, and I think He wanted me to make sure I had the answer to this one, so that when the time came to respond to the final and most important test of life, I wouldn’t falter and fold, and essentially fail Him.

I will follow this Jesus as far as He will lead no matter what anyone else chooses to do. I will die with Him; I will die for Him. I think I found my courage and my passion on the shore next to the fire that day. I am Peter, and on this Rock, He is building the church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.
We were just getting started, but in order to start somewhere, it is important to understand where we have been. These are our stories about all we witnessed Jesus speak into existence. We begin at the end so you, my friend, will understand our loyalty and devotion.

I’ve been reading RED LETTERS all my life, but never with my heart.
During the month of April, let’s JOURNEY where JESUS journeyed,
and listen with our hearts to all He came to proclaim.