They Didn't Recognize Him

In John 21:1-14 Jesus shows up by the Sea of Galilee where some of his disciples had been fishing all night without a catch.  Interestingly, these guys didn't recognize him.  Jesus asked how things were going, gave some fishing advice, and still…nothing. 

Why was it that the disciples didn't recognize Jesus?  How is that even possible?  Was it merely because it was out of context and they weren't expecting him?  Was it because they were too preoccupied with their own activities?  Perhaps it was because Jesus veiled his identity at first in order to build their trust and leave them with another miracle.

I’m not sure.  But I can relate to each of these scenarios.

“The man” told them to throw the net down on the right and there would be fish.  They did, and the catch was miraculous.  That the net didn't break was pretty miraculous as well.  It was then that they realized it was Jesus who was with them. 

“Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.” John 21:12

Imagine having breakfast on the beach with Jesus Christ!

At first I thought the whole “not recognizing” thing strange, inexcusable really given what these guys had all been through together.  But then I paused and realized that I probably do the same thing every day.

How often do I fail to recognize Christ’s presence because it seems out of context?  Either I’m not expecting it, or I’m expecting it to be my own way.

How often to I fail to recognize Christ because I’m preoccupied with myself, my own needs and wants, my own agenda and activities?

Does my failure to notice him in the quiet, everyday moments force him to hold out for those less frequent but grander appearances that will actually get my attention?

Where is it that God is clearly working, yet I’m overlooking thinking he’s somewhere else rather than right here with me?

Like with these disciples, Jesus is right here with you and with me.  He wants to lead us as Lord, rescue us as Savior, and just have breakfast with us as a father or a friend.

Pray for eyes that recognize him – his presence, his hand, his help.

 

PS.  In this picture, our coaches are having a great time during our year-end Durban celebration.

Who is it you want?

Jesus and his disciples went to the Mount of Olives.  Judas had already betrayed him, so a group of soldiers also arrived on the scene to arrest him. 

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”  

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.  

"I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:4-6)

These soldiers were looking for Jesus, yet when they found him they shrunk back and fell to the ground.  Why?  They knew he wasn't a violent criminal; he was merely a Jewish teacher who healed the sick, helped the poor, and made wild claims about repentance and being the Son of God.  Surely he was no match for a group of well-trained, armed soldiers.

Did they fall down in fear that his claims might be true, that they might really be face to face with God himself?  And if so, were they ready for such an encounter?

While the soldiers were still on the ground, Jesus had to ask them a second time, “Who is it you want?”  “Jesus of Nazareth” they repeated.  (John 18:7)

As I read this, I pictured Christ pursuing us asking “Who is it you want?”  I also pictured the litany of responses he may have received.  People who receive him with gratitude, humility and joy.  Others who down-right reject him, wanting someone or something else for their lives.  Then those who are just not sure, wanting him but then shrinking back and falling down when he says “I am he.” 

I remember the years I spent searching for that “someone” or “something” but not really knowing it was Christ I was looking for.  I grew up thinking I was saved without realizing God had so much more to offer – love, relationship, guidance, a purpose, gifts to carry out that purpose, blessings, etc. 

So if you would have asked me 15 years ago who it was I wanted, it sure wouldn't have been Jesus.  And as Jesus lovingly, patiently pursued me, I continued to shrink back from each encounter…

Until finally I didn't…I surrendered.  I stood before my Savior and Lord and asked that his will be done in my life.

Who is it YOU want?  Don’t shrink back when you encounter Christ; embrace Him as if your life depends on it.

To Hell in a Hand Basket

In John 17 Jesus prays for himself, then for his disciples, and then for all believers.  His prayers are powerful and set the example for how we should pray for ourselves and others.

Jesus prayed that believers may be one, united in their faith in Christ, just as Jesus and the Father are one.  He emphasizes unity four times, so it must be important.  He prays for   

·         Unity in fellowship.  There is strength in numbers. (John 17:11) 

·         Unity in witness bearing.  This could mean evangelizing the lost, but more importantly I think of consistently modeling God’s Word in the world. (John 17:21) 

·         Unity in the glory of Christ.  Sharing the honor, rewards, and blessings that come from being a child of God and co-heir with Christ. (John 17:22)

·         Complete unity.  How?  Through Christ in us.  Why?  So that the world will know Him through us.  (John 17:23)

It is through our complete unity in faith and reflection of Christ as believers that the world encounters Him, learns His plan for salvation, and experiences His unconditional love.  The world will know Christ when his people stand united in their faith. 

How?

The Lord keeps leading me back to sanctification.  While salvation occurs the moment someone accepts Christ as Savior, sanctification is a process that continues throughout the rest of a believer’s life as he or she grows in Christlike character, attitudes, behavior, etc.  Sanctification comes through knowing, hearing and obeying God’s Word.

Based on recent news, it seems the world is “going to hell in a hand basket,” and the US, true to form, seems to be going faster and more efficiently than everyone else.

The Lord prayed that His people would be sanctified by the truth of His Word.  Yet we (I’m talking about believers here, myself included) seem to make so many compromises with what God’s Word says.  Where things are written in black and white, we rationalize varied interpretations and applications.  We change God’s Word to fit our desires and circumstances.  We try to turn Christ into someone we can live with when the whole point is that God’s people should be different, set apart, unyielding, and uncompromising when it comes to His truths. 

Think about all the hot topics in our recent election campaign – gay marriage, abortion, fiscal responsibility.  Think of the undercurrents that were also being evaluated – character, honesty, integrity, morality.  God’s Word is black and white in these areas.  Yet we as Christians often waver back and forth, and like my puppy, track mud through the house until everything is a dingy grey.

We tolerate sin calling it “not judging.”  We accept sin calling it “forgiveness.”  We commit sin calling it “the way God made us” or “OK because of God’s unconditional love and grace.”  We compromise, even re-write, God’s word wearing our “tolerance”, “progressiveness”, “liberalism”, “open-mindedness” and so-called “maturity” as a badge of honor. 

Except that this not sanctification or spiritual maturity, it’s the complete opposite.  We separate ourselves from God when His heart is to unite us with him and with each other.  We kick God out of our lives and then wonder where He is when we need Him.

As the saying goes, if the shoe fits wear it; if it doesn’t, don’t.  But I have to believe we all have areas where compromise is distancing us from God, impeding His will, and muddying our witness.  Or maybe this is just for me…

So pray for yourself, for me, and for all believers – that we may be one as Christ and the Father are one, that our lives reflect Christ in such a way as to draw others to Him, and that we continue to grow in God’s Word as our guiding and absolute truth – no compromises.