Gtcotr/ss082023
Jesus is often seeking our attention because He knows we need to hear something He is saying. We are anxious at times, get distracted, and become engaged in our own necessary pursuits. Yet when He calls, He may not need our help or want our money, He might just be trying to get our attention.
We cannot adequately serve Him before He first servesus. His love first flows to us, before it flows through us. It is difficult to comfort and encourage others whenwe have not yet been comforted and encouraged ourselves. The Apostle Paul said it like this:
2 Corinthians 1 NKJV
3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
One Word from God changes everything. Jesus wants our attention.
This morning we will use 2 accounts from the Gospels to confirm this truth and to reveal how we can best respond to Jesus when He comes to call.
Luke 10 NKJV
38 ¶ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
We find two distinct messages in this passage.
Hold those thoughts while we turn our attention to a passage from the Gospel of John, chapter 21. This account occurred about a month after the resurrection. It was the third time Jesus appeared to a group of His disciples after He rose from the dead. It was in the late spring on the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum perhaps 1 to 2 weeks prior to the Ascension. A group of us will be visiting this very spot together in a few days.
Remember, Jesus did not ask Martha to stop preparing for her guests, He just didn’t want her to be worried and troubled or irritated about it.
Our next account is from the Gospel of John, chapter21:1-14.
John 21 NKJV
4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”
John 21
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
Planning, preparation, inclusion … the natural and the supernatural working together … people all doing their part … Jesus cooking, Peter swimming … James and John riding in a boat … Thomas and Nathaniel dragging a net filled with fish … everything and everyone working together in concert to make the morning work just like it should … free and easy … no worry, no distraction, no drama, no trouble … just people paying attention to do what God put in their hearts to do.
John 21
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and dine.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” — knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
The Bible does not say Jesus was unknown to the disciples … it says before they saw Him they didn’t know it was Him but when they saw Him, they knew it was Him. No longer did Thomas doubt, nor did any of the other disciples ask for proof. They knew it was Him and that He was alive, raised from the dead, and there was no more need for questions.
Jesus had a purpose in appearing to the disciples this third time. He wanted their attention, specifically Jesus wanted Peter’s undivided attention. Jesus had something important to ask Peter. Perhaps this is why it fell on Peter’s heart, and why he was inspired in a different way than James and John. He jumped and swam, they came slowly and stayed dry.
I like thinking Jesus spent the time building a fire which had already turned to coals whereupon laid fish He had prepared to feed His friends. Friends who needed Him. Each one in perhaps a different way.
Please take time to read the full account and the verses that follow. They will confirm that after breakfast Jesus began asking Peter, “do you love Me?” Jesus asked him the same question three separate and distinct times.
There is no doubt among scholars through the ages that Jesus was helping Peter to get past the shame and personal reproach of having denied even knowing Him during His trial in Jerusalem. The gifts and the calling of God are given without repentance (Romans 11:29). If we are willing, God will forgive and restore. James and John and Mary had no reason to complain.
Who among us is worthy without the forgiveness of Jesus Christ? Yet who among us is unworthy when called to serve by the resurrected Son of Almighty God?
What have we discovered and confirmed today?
