Oakhaven Church Podcast

5.01.22 - Gospel of John XXXIII - Who Am I?

May 04, 2022 Larry Mudd
Oakhaven Church Podcast
5.01.22 - Gospel of John XXXIII - Who Am I?
Show Notes

We enter the final chapter of John's gospel in this message, and witness an important exchange between the risen Christ and His disciples, or at least 7 of them. These have returned to Galilee and follow Peter into his fishing boat in what looks to be an effort to return to their old lives. They fail, though, catching nothing. Until, of course, Jesus appears on the shore incognito, urging them to cast their net on the other side of the boat, and voila, a huge catch fills the net. Upon recognizing Jesus in that moment, Peter doesn't wait for the boat but swims to shore to find a breakfast of fish and bread ready over a fire. The boat arrives with its large catch, and some of those fish are added to Jesus' preparations for a combined resource breakfast that celebrates their partnership with Him. 

Once again, Jesus' theme of abiding in Him from John 15 is sounded as the disciples are quickly reminded that "apart from Me, you can do nothing." It is when they listen to and obey Jesus that they experience abundance again. When they are pursuing their own ideas with their own strength and effort, they gain nothing. They are no longer their old fishermen selves. They have been with Jesus, He has given them His Spirit, and sent them to carry on His mission. Their identities have been forever changed and based upon His love and power. All these things are true for us today as well, if we will but listen to and obey His voice, and remember who we are - remember Whose we are.

To investigate this most important of stories further, go here.