John 21:1–3: After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
I like to call this the convention of the problem children. Here is Simon Peter, fervent but failing, warm–hearted, yet walking afar off; he is impulsive and impetuous and affectionate. Then here is Thomas, that magnificent skeptic, who has a question mark for a brain; Nathanael, the wisecracker, who was also a doubter at the beginning; the sons of thunder, James and John; and two others who are not named. Perhaps, since this is a crowd of problem children, they represent you and me. The Lord did not rebuke them when He appeared to them. They were at Galilee by His commandment. It was springtime, the Passover season. They may have waited and waited for the Lord Jesus to come. Peter would be the one to become impatient, and after pacing back and forth and after looking up and down the shore, would be the one to say, “I go a–fishing.” And six others joined him. They fished all night and caught nothing. This may be the only true fish story that has been told! They knew how to fish—that’s the way they made their living—but that night of failure was in the plan and purpose of God for them. 1
Your Word is Truth
Are you a leader or a follower? What are the strengths of a good leader? How did this leadership seminar with Jesus affect Peter’s life? How did this impulsive swordsman become a leader in the church? How can a follower best support a leader?
So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. –Luke 5:11
You Alone are God
Being impulsive leads to defeat; being steadfast leads to victory. – TWEET IT
Your Will be Done
Lord, thank You for Your many loving corrections for my many continual failures.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
