Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
John 21:1-14
At some point, Peter and some other Disciples decide they are going back into the fishing business they had given up to follow Jesus. So, seven of the eleven Disciples are out on the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) when Jesus reveals Himself again to them. As day dawned, Jesus was on the shore but the Disciples did not recognize Him. Having fished all night with nothing to show for it, Jesus calls to His Disciples to cast their net on the “other side” of the boat. Their catch was almost more than they could handle. So, John, in the boat with Peter, says to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard what John said, Peter put on his outer garment and jumped into the water to swim ashore. The other Disciples stayed in the boat and struggled to get to shore with their large net of fish. When Peter came ashore, he saw Jesus had prepared a fire and had bread to eat. Jesus invited all the Disciples to bring some of their catch to grill and have breakfast together. All the Disciples acted as if everything were normal, as if Jesus had not died and rose again. They enjoyed fellowship just as they had during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Just as Jesus had done the night of His arrest, He took fish and bread and gave to His Disciples to eat. John notes that this is the third time Jesus had shone Himself to them. Again, Christians see that our Risen Savior and Lord appears as any other human to these men. Jesus fellowships, cooks and, feeds them just as any host would do for their guests. Despite Jesus’ supernatural body having done some pretty impressive things already, we see Him doing quite normal, human things here. The Christian learns from this scene that eternal life will be “normal” for us though we will have a supernatural body. In Heaven, there will be NO sitting on a cloud playing a harp all the time. We will be busy with whatever our Lord commands us to do. There will be plenty for us to do and it will include worship of our Savior and Lord, freely and willingly doing all that He commands and, living a life far more abundant than we ever thought could be lived! Our heavenly existence will be free from sin, free from illness and death and, free to be like our Lord Jesus. Christians can only glimpse at life eternal now. But, oh, what a glorious day it will be when Jesus we will see as He is for we will be like Him in that day!!
Source: S C Ball April 12, 2023
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