John 21 presents such an unreligious scene. Jesus, having just reached the apex of spiritual and physical conquest (the resurrection from the dead and disarmament of all of satan’s power), chooses to go to the shore where his friends are fishing.
It’s interesting to me that Jesus never went back to the synagogue after his resurrection. We don’t hear of Jesus teaching in the temple in the following days. The scenes that surround Jesus after the ushering in of a new covenant all center around relationships.
We find him going to people’s homes and walking with people on the road. And here, we find him taking the time to assist some friends in a fishing extravaganza that was failing miserably. Oh, and afterward he grilled some fish and they ate together. Interestingly enough, this is the setting where Jesus chose to restore Peter.
Too often, we try to confine Christ to a sanctuary or a ritual, but he was just as comfortable ministering to people over a barbeque. It was natural for him to teach on a hillside (Matt 5-7), at a dinner table (Matt 26:26), with children in his lap (Matt 19:13-14), and lecturing in the temple (Luke 4:16-21).
What about us? Can we take opportunities that we have all day long, in various settings to minister to those around us? This week, let’s look for these open doors and be courageous enough to make the most of every opportunity The Spirit gives us.
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. (Colossians 4:5)
It’s interesting to me that Jesus never went back to the synagogue after his resurrection. We don’t hear of Jesus teaching in the temple in the following days. The scenes that surround Jesus after the ushering in of a new covenant all center around relationships.
We find him going to people’s homes and walking with people on the road. And here, we find him taking the time to assist some friends in a fishing extravaganza that was failing miserably. Oh, and afterward he grilled some fish and they ate together. Interestingly enough, this is the setting where Jesus chose to restore Peter.
Too often, we try to confine Christ to a sanctuary or a ritual, but he was just as comfortable ministering to people over a barbeque. It was natural for him to teach on a hillside (Matt 5-7), at a dinner table (Matt 26:26), with children in his lap (Matt 19:13-14), and lecturing in the temple (Luke 4:16-21).
What about us? Can we take opportunities that we have all day long, in various settings to minister to those around us? This week, let’s look for these open doors and be courageous enough to make the most of every opportunity The Spirit gives us.
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. (Colossians 4:5)
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