Serving the Lord will pay off.
I am no prophet, and I cannot tell anyone, not even myself, what time it is in the season of life, but I can tell everyone who will heed the message that serving the Lord will pay off!
Saint John 21 is a wonderful illustration of the difference between following the Lord and operating without the Lord. It is also an excellent example of the importance of godly guidance because without it, even the most seasoned Christian will revert to their old lifestyle.
The disciples had been given the message to go to Galilee and Jesus would meet them there (Matthew 28:10). While they were waiting (waiting is never easy), Peter decides to go fishing. He may have been a disciple to Christ but his occupation, before his recruitment by Christ, was that of a professional fisherman. He still knew how to fish. He still loved to fish. Fishing provided food and money to this experienced fisherman.
Let’s be clear, being a fisherman is an honorable profession and there is no condemnation in the profession. However, Jesus, speaking directly to Peter and his brother Andrew, called them to become “fishers of men.”
Of all the professions in the world, the highest call, which we are all are asked to heed, is to call others to repentance, to become reconciled through Jesus Christ unto God.
Although we are compelled to live, work and rejoice in whatever state we may find ourselves, know that there is a payday even in the mist of life challenges. As illustrated in today’s Scripture Lesson, the payoff in serving the Lord is found in:
1. Jesus offers comfort in our distress. The disciples have fished all night and have caught no fish. Yet, as the morning comes, they see Jesus and he gives them instructions to cast their nets to the other side of the boat. They catch many fish as they follow Jesus’ instruction.
May I remind you, that Jesus was already there even though they did not see him during the cover of night, and he was already making plans to meet them on the shore. When they arrived, there was a fire to warm by and there was food to eat.
In our own lives, we have received shelter, food and been warmed by kind words, not because we have done everything correctly, but because we serve a God who loves us. We have Jesus who is our redeemer and intercessor who brings us before God – Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide (See to it-Perceive it); God – El Shaddai, God all mighty, all sufficient; God – Jehovah Nissi, the one who is a banner in war; God – Jehovah Rapha, the one who heals; God -El Roi, the one who sees you. There are some things that the riches of this world cannot provide, but you are favored by El Shaddai, and you are recipient of inner peace and joy which the world cannot provide.
1. Jesus provides an open invitation. Jesus invites the disciples to sit down and eat a breakfast that he has prepared from them. It reminds us of the invitation that is still open to all who are heavy with burden. After praying a prayer of thanksgiving, Jesus offered an invitation that is for the sinner and the born-again Christian who needs to be renewed, Matthew 11:28 New Living Translation “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
2. Jesus restores us. Peter had denied Jesus in public, and Jesus takes this opportunity before his fellow disciples to restore him. Jesus let him know that he, Peter, was worthy not in himself but because he had been received back into the fold publicly. Now he could “feed the sheep.”
