This is the first part of my address
at ladies’retreat in Dongshan on April 28
One evening as I was preparing for our
study on the heart of Jesus, I read the passage in John 21: 1-17 and was
feeling God spoke to me in a special way some things that are relevant for our
whole team of committed Christians, those serving and leaders who we are mostly
gathered here. Interestingly, the time setting in the passage is after resurrection, and we
are also now in the aftermath of our Easter celebrations, so I feel this
passage is very relevant. I saw four important reminders for us in part of scriptures. Firstly, Jesus can show the right strategy for better result.
Secondly, with supernatural opportunities comes God-given endurance to keep it
together. Thirdly, Jesus cares for us personally and in practical and tangible
ways. Fourthly and finally, those who love Jesus more are given task to care
for other believers. Let us read the first portion of this passage:
“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. Early in the
morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it
was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any
fish?”“No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right
side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to
haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” (John 21, 1-6)
Firstly, I want to start off by saying
that in scripture, fishing also refers to sharing good news with other people;
Jesus said that He will make us fishers of men. Just as He cared for disciples
in this passage, He cares how we are doing on ministry, whether it is going
well or difficult, and He is standing ready to advise and help. He is wants to
show us the right strategy – a little thing, done under Jesus’ leadership, can
make much difference, such as throwing nets on the other side of the boat. We
need to ask Jesus to show us the right way to reach people. We have discussed
the challenge of approaching people at times and that for some, Christianity
may have some stigma. I believe that Jesus can show us what can make difference
in this. The same goes for various other challenges we face. I recently had a
disappointment of not getting a scholarship I had high hopes for. At times despite
effort, we struggle to get results we want.
Let us hear the words of blessing as
written by Arthur Bruk and Sylvia Gunter. Beloved sisters, I call your spirits
to the front to hear God’s blessings for you today: “Spirit, you were designed
by your Father to face problems and solve them, not just escape them. I bless
you with rejoicing in each one, instead of complaining and turning back. I
bless you with perseverance to dig in His word to solve problems, as if you are
looking for gold, silver, and jewels. I bless you with having the mind of
Christ, so you can see things from His perspective and solutions others can’t
see. May you have God’s wisdom to embrace His solutions, even if they seem
painful, and nobody has ever walked that way before. I bless you in the name of
the God of impossible. Spirit, I bless you with going to the Word of God and
seeing specific promises He has made to you, standing on them, and savoring the
joy, security, and excitement that comes when your Father answers your prayers
based on His specific promises. I bless you with realizing that when God calls
you to battle, He will be there with you and for you, and victory will lie in
His hand, not your expertise or resources. I bless you with experiencing God’s
pleasure in who you are and how he sees you now and tomorrow.”
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