Today's Passage - John 21:1-3

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 21:1-3    Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.  "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.     The first verse says "afterward", which is in fact the third time Jesus Christ shows himself to the disciples. Why did Peter still go back to fish after Jesus shows himself to the disciples? If we are in the same situation, we should be rushing to spread the gospel! However, at this moment they shrink back a lot, even Peter escapes by going back to fishing. I believe they are very confused at the time. Even though they clearly know Jesus has resurrected, but nevertheless after Jesus' resurrection, he is still not by their side. He is not yet with them through the Holy Spirit. No wonder they are so confused because they do not know how this can be fulfilled.     They are also very disappointed, especially Peter. He is once so passionate for Jesus. When Jesus asks, "Who am I", Peter clearly answers, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" Peter once has dreams.  He knows he is following the right person, so supposedly great master should produce great disciples! But after what happened in Jerusalem, is it like he has just come out of the dream. Peter's disappointment towards the Lord is like he has followed the wrong person. Even when the Lord is betrayed, Peter thinks he can rescue Jesus, but the Lord stops him, which is something he can't understand. On the other hand, he is disappointed in himself. He thinks he won't abandon Jesus and run away. Who knows that in front of the slave girl he will deny the Lord three times! Not only this, he feels lost because even though the Lord has already resurrected, who knows if the old thing will play itself out again?     Peter doesn't want to be disappointed again. This time he wants to find what is real, something he can catch, and what he can think of is to resume his old fishing trade. At least this is something he has control over. But strangely enough, that night they did not catch one single fish, even though they are veteran fishermen! Thus, they are exhausted spiritually and physically. They come up empty handed in both spiritual and worldly things. Brothers and sisters, this is truly the life story of many Christians. We want to straddle both the worldly and the spiritual boats, but we end up even more lost. May God help us to only seek the Lord, to put our hope in God because only he is the answer and satisfaction for our lives. Let us together come to put our hope in him!                                      Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you because you are the satisfaction of my life. Even though many times I am like the disciples straddling two boats, but may God help me to turn back to you, to receive new life, strength and satisfaction. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!