John 21:7 | considering the word

John 21:7-8: “Then he jumped into the water. …So the other disciples stayed in the boat and dragged in the net full of fish.”

I found another interesting example from Peter. One that many of us are not often willing to do. (and it might hurt for a moment, but bear with me) He jumped in…went after Jesus…and left the others there with work to do.

Jesus had told them to let down the net on the right side, and it was so full they couldn’t drag it up into the boat. Peter finds out Jesus is over on the shore and he literally leaves them there with this problem. How would you feel about that if you were the other disciples?

We’ve seen another story like that before. In Luke 10: 39, Martha was upset because she worried about all that had to be done while her sister was sitting down in front of Jesus, listening to what He was saying. Martha went to Jesus and asked if it didn’t bother Him that Mary had left her to do all the work by herself. She even told Jesus to tell Mary to come help her! ha! Jesus replied that she was worried and upset about many things, but that only one thing was necessary. He said that Mary had chosen what was best, and told her that it would not be taken away from her.

Peter also understood what was best. Jesus!

Let me point out something interesting. When the disciples finally made it to shore with Jesus and Peter, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. (vs. 9) Jesus already had what they needed right there on the shore.

Jesus told them to get their fish, too, and Simon went back and helped them get them, but it was after he spent time with Jesus. And the fish they brought were just extra. Jesus had already provided.

Wow! Peter and Mary sure had it right.

Our lesson: All the busy-work truly isn’t always necessary, and certainly isn’t best. (Jesus said so Himself). Being with Jesus is best. Spending time with Him and listening to Him is what we need. He will provide. Once we’ve spent time with Him, we will be more equipped to handle whatever work He has for us, and we’ll have the wisdom to let go of whatever work we no longer need to be part of.

Jumping,

jamie

For the previous 2 blogs, see below:

Lessons from Peter, part 1

Lessons from Peter, part 2

Jn. 21:7: “When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.”

When it came to Jesus, Peter was not afraid to jump!

Only once in the Scriptures do we find Simon afraid and turning his back on Jesus. All other times, he went for it!

In Luke 5, Jesus got into Peter’s boat and was teaching the people on the shore. After He taught, Jesus told Peter to let down his net, and it came up so full of fish that it began to rip. Another boat came to help and the 2 boats were so full that they began to sink…it was madness.

Jesus then asked Peter to come with him to be a “fisher of men.” Peter left everything to follow Jesus.

Another time, the disciples were alone on their boat. There was a bit of rough wind on the sea, and Jesus comes walking by on the water. Peter gets out of the boat, at the Lord’s command, and walks toward Him.

On the morning when Mary Magdalene came to Peter and the other disciple to tell them that the stone had been rolled away from Jesus’ tomb, he and Peter both ran to the tomb. Peter may have been outrun, but the other disciple didn’t go in. He just stood outside of the tomb and looked in. But not Peter. Peter went all the way inside.

And then later, before the scene I described in my last blog. Peter had decided to go fishing. He was on the boat and someone asked from the shore, “Friends, have you caught anything?” When they said no, the man on the shore told them to let down their nets on the right side of the boat. Well, wouldn’t you know it… the net was so full they couldn’t even drag it in.

Jesus’ favorite disciple told Peter, “It’s the Lord!” And out jumped Peter!

Why wait for the boat?

Today’s lesson from Peter: When it comes to God, don’t hesitate…Jump…Leap…Run…Go for it!

Final lesson here,

jamie