In Luke 5: 1-11, The disciples first encounter with Jesus occurs in the place where they are most comfortable; a fishing boat. This is an environment they know and understand very well, yet on this particular trip they have come up empty. Now Jesus doesn't call them away from what they know, instead he says let me join you and let's see what happens. Jesus uses this setting to reveal to the fishermen who he really is by causing their nets to be packed with so many fish they were stressed so much they nearly broke and the boats nearly sunk. Because this was a setting that the disciples understood very well and were comfortable with the events that transpired caused them to understand fairly clearly just who Jesus is.
It struck me that this is the way Jesus will meet me as well. I won't find him through some extra sensory encounter, because it won't mean a thing to me. Instead, he knows where I am most comfortable and will come to meet me there, because it is there I will come to understand most clearly who he really is.
Now fast forward to John 21 and we find the disciples in a funk following the Crucifixion of Jesus and the uncertainty of what his resurrection is about. So, they return to an activity they are most comfortable with; fishing. Their last fishing trip before they met Jesus found them up all night with nothing to show for their efforts. The result is the same for this trip as well. Jesus, once again comes to the place where they are comfortable and meets them. This time he stands on the shore and calls out and asks them about their catch and they reply they have not had any luck. So, he tells them to drop the nets on the other side of the boat and they'll find some fish there. The result is the same this time as well and Jesus uses this moment to remind them that he is who he claims to be.
In the same way, when I go through my times of confusion or doubts and retreat to the place that brings me comfort it is there that Jesus will come and meet me. There is a reason why he would meet me in a place of comfort and that is because I understand that place well and it will take something dramatic to make me realize that this is not normal and I will understand clearly, Jesus is who he claims to be. Through an encounter such as this he reminds me just as he reminded the disciples, I am still the same person that you met here before. My power is not diminished and my authority is still unquestioned. So be hopeful and trust in me. Now get up and go where God leads you and accomplish His will. Jesus, let me meet you in my place of comfort so you can reveal to me exactly who you are, the son of God most high!
It struck me that this is the way Jesus will meet me as well. I won't find him through some extra sensory encounter, because it won't mean a thing to me. Instead, he knows where I am most comfortable and will come to meet me there, because it is there I will come to understand most clearly who he really is.
Now fast forward to John 21 and we find the disciples in a funk following the Crucifixion of Jesus and the uncertainty of what his resurrection is about. So, they return to an activity they are most comfortable with; fishing. Their last fishing trip before they met Jesus found them up all night with nothing to show for their efforts. The result is the same for this trip as well. Jesus, once again comes to the place where they are comfortable and meets them. This time he stands on the shore and calls out and asks them about their catch and they reply they have not had any luck. So, he tells them to drop the nets on the other side of the boat and they'll find some fish there. The result is the same this time as well and Jesus uses this moment to remind them that he is who he claims to be.
In the same way, when I go through my times of confusion or doubts and retreat to the place that brings me comfort it is there that Jesus will come and meet me. There is a reason why he would meet me in a place of comfort and that is because I understand that place well and it will take something dramatic to make me realize that this is not normal and I will understand clearly, Jesus is who he claims to be. Through an encounter such as this he reminds me just as he reminded the disciples, I am still the same person that you met here before. My power is not diminished and my authority is still unquestioned. So be hopeful and trust in me. Now get up and go where God leads you and accomplish His will. Jesus, let me meet you in my place of comfort so you can reveal to me exactly who you are, the son of God most high!
