In the Gospel of John, in chapter 21 we read about a wonderful encounter between Jesus and the disciples.
Jesus had risen from the dead and He appeared to the disciples on the shore of Lake Tiberias. A lot had already happened, so there had been many challenging days for the disciples. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection had confused them, and they were wondering much about all the events which had taken place.
One of the disciples, John, said, when they saw SOMEONE coming to the shore: “IT IS THE LORD!” (John 21:7) “As soon as Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord” …he jumped into the water…” in his great excitement.
They had called Jesus Lord before, but now the risen Savior was truly THE LORD!
In Christianity, the word “Lord” means God. For example, in the Old Testament, the Lord (in Hebrew Yahweh or YHWH) is the holy name of God, meaning the Lord who rules over all. Glory to God, our Lord! WE SING: “HE IS LORD, HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD AND HE IS LORD.” Do we truly believe that He, Jesus, is our Lord, our Almighty God?
Then PETER AND JESUS had a discussion. I want to draw attention to an important point, which has spoken much to me as I read this à Jesus asked Peter three times – “Do you love me?” Peter answered the question every time in the affirmative – “Yes. I love you.”
But the third time his reply was different. In John 21:17 Peter replied – ”LORD, YOU KNOW ALL things, You know that I love You.” (You know that you are dear to me.)
- The name of our Lord (our God) is also El Roi meaning the God who sees.
May His name comfort us today with this thought: – “LORD, YOU KNOW ALL.” May He comfort us in our lives and in the lives of all our loved ones every day, every moment and everything that happens in our lives. We think we can keep the secrets of our lives to ourselves, that no one knows. But the Lord knows everything! Even though He knows; He wants us to tell Him everything.
- When Peter wanted to know more about another disciple, John, in John 21:20-21, Jesus replied in verse 22 – ”…What is that to you?You must FOLLOW ME.”
- A)There are many pains and sorrows in the world. But Jesus wants us to keep our eyes on Him and to follow HIM!
Our primary mission is to follow Jesus.
- God does many things through us, but the power by which we move and act, are from HIM!
- In HIM we move and have our being. We can do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit.
- He has promised to be with us every day, even to the end of the world.
Precious Lord and Saviour, thank You that You love us and that You desire us to love You back and to follow You. Please help us to recognize You daily in all the little loving blessings you pour out onto us every day. Help us to make You Lord of our lives, so that we need not feel overwhelmed by the much required from us, but that we can give everything into Your blessed nail-scarred hands to carry our burdens, because You are the Owner of our lives. You see everything from the end to the beginning and from the beginning to the end. We love You O lord our strength and our Rock. Amen
Marja Toukola