Cast Your Net

The disciples had seen the resurrected Christ. They experienced the joy of seeing Jesus after His defeat over death. Yet they still didn't know the part they would play on the world's stage. They didn't understand  the direction of their lives would be completely rerouted by His resurrection. They were headed back to their old lives, to what was familiar.

Simone Peter said to them, "I am going fishing!" They said to him, "And we are coming with you!" So they went out and got into the boat [Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, John, his brother James and 2 other disciples], and throughout that night....they caught nothing. John 21:3 So off they went.

They came in after working hard, all night long, tired and empty handed. And there was Jesus, standing on the shore, waiting for them. And as is often the case with us, they didn't recognize Him at first. 

Jesus knew exactly how they felt, what they had been doing the night before. He knows us so well. Our circumstances, our challenges, our bent. He calls out to them, "Hey guys, have you caught anything?" Like He didn't know?! They answer no. One can imagine the despondency they felt as the man on the shore asked them the obvious.

Still not recognized, Jesus tells them to throw the net out again...and precisely where to throw it. He promises them they will find fish this time. Of course He knows where the fish are; He knows the names of the stars and how many hairs are on our head. He is God.

Their catch was overwhelming. They connect the dots and recognize Jesus. They come ashore and see Jesus had breakfast waiting. It was time to do serious business with His disciples. They didn't know it but they weren't going to go back to the fisherman's life, the life they knew. They were about to become the first of many generations of men and women whose lives were all about representing the Resurrected Saviour to our lost and hurting world. He had work for them to do. The mission Jesus began was to continue through His beloved disciples, His followers. This was the plan. We are the plan.

Around the campfire, over a warm meal, He tells them they are to tend to His sheep. They  were to be about the business of God's Kingdom. I'm pretty sure this was news to them.

Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. As believers, we can expect our lives to be rearranged by the Lord, as He has His own plans for us. Sometimes we aren't sure what to do. The future can seem vague or confusing as we attempt to live into new ways. I am so thankful for God's patience with me as I struggle to understand the way He wants me to go, where to cast my net.  I am also in awe of how He seems to break through the messiness of life and accomplish His ways, in spite of us, as He leads and guides us.

Lord, help me to recognize and carry out the plans You have for me. I want to come to You so You can tell me where to cast my net and not spend hours in fruitless search. Thank You for Your tenderness towards me when I go back to the old familiar ways of living. Thank you for leading and guiding me to the meal that awaits me, fire burning, all ready to go. And mostly I am in complete awe that You are here with me so I don't have to eat alone.

In the Garden

It all began in the garden. Our fellowship with the Almighty God. Genesis 2:15 says the LORD GOD took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden.... But then we know what happened. The man and the woman were tempted. They gave in. This was the beginning of trouble. Lots of it.

There was the sound of the LORD GOD walking in the garden, enjoying the cool of the day. That is when Adam and Eve hid. But it is worth noting, they knew that sound. We can imagine the many times they enjoyed the garden, the delights of it, the beauty of it with God. 

God cried out to them as they were hiding. Of course He knew they were hiding, what had happened. But He cried out to them none the less. Their fellowship had been breached.

So God had to put them out of the garden, where there was more temptation, more opportunity to bring more evil upon themselves. Yet once banished, we see God making the first blood sacrifice for mankind. He Himself, made garments of skin to cover their nakedness, their shame. This is a preview of His  great love and His provision for all of mankind.

I am reading about the culmination of God's love and  provision in the Book of John. I can't help but notice it was a garden Jesus was led from after He was betrayed by Judas. Many translations refer to this place as a garden Jesus often met with His disciples in. It seems to mirror Genesis. The garden. The place were God met man and they enjoyed fellowship.  

In John 18, Jesus was bound up and led away from that garden, the one He often met His disciples in. He went out just as Adam and Eve did. He did not nothing wrong yet out He went. Willingly. His supreme sacrifice was set into motion. Not another animal sacrifice, but the once and for all sacrifice was going to be made. God provided once again. He was going to get rid of guilt, shame, and death once and for all by sacrificing His One and Only Son.

After His death, Jesus body was laid to rest in a garden tomb. He had re-entered the garden. His work on earth was finished. And a way for us to have fellowship with God was made. Once again we can walk with God in the garden. The garden of His love.

Being with God is an oasis in the midst of the trials of life we all face.  This metaphor of the garden, God's desire to be with us in beautiful fellowship, His tenderness and love, His provision, even back in Genesis is deeply moving.

Thank you LORD, for making a way for us to walk with You. Forever in sweet fellowship. Thank You that you pursue us. Relentlessly, persistently, patiently and faithfully, because You are loving and kind. Thank You for Your all encompassing provision.