It Is The Lord
It Is The Lord
John 21:7-14
“It is the Lord.” With those four words, the apostle John made a declaration that was both spiritual recognition and settled truth. Jesus Christ was not merely present on the shore of Galilee, He was revealed in the heart of his disciples.
Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:3 that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” Spiritual sight is not natural; it is given by God the Holy Ghost and received by faith in the heart of man. Many struggle to recognize Christ until he is revealed in the midst of their sorrow or disappointment.
In John 21, the disciples were at one of their lowest points. They had labored all night, relying on experience, strength, and familiarity, yet they caught nothing. This is often when the Lord draws near. Though they did not recognize Him at first, He was already present, watching, preparing, and ready to speak. As Charles Haddon Spurgeon observed, “Christ is never absent from His people, though they are often unconscious of His presence.”
He Speaks to Your Present Situation
Jesus’ first words were not words of rebuke but of relationship: “Children, have ye any meat?” (John 21:5). The term “children” is one of tenderness and authority. It echoes the language of Christ in Mark 10:24 and reflects the loving correction described in Hebrews 12:5.
Jesus addressed them exactly where they were, tired, empty, and honest. The Lord still speaks this way. When we feel alone, He speaks companionship. When we feel guilty, He speaks forgiveness. When fear dominates, He speaks peace. His words are not empty encouragements; they are, as Jesus said and John wrote, words of “spirit and life.” In seasons of disappointment, God is often preparing gracious designs beyond our understanding.
He Reminds You of His Previous Solution
When John said, “It is the Lord” (John 21:7), recognition came through remembrance. The scene echoed an earlier miracle in Luke 5, when empty nets were filled at Christ’s command. John connected what God was doing now with what He had done before.
This is a vital principle of faith. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” John Newton frequently emphasized that past mercies are pledges of future faithfulness. When Peter heard the truth, he did not hesitate; he plunged into the water, eager to draw near again. Failure had not erased his desire for restored fellowship.
He Abundantly Provides for Your Sustenance
What followed was not a meager provision but an overwhelming abundance. Peter drew in a net containing 153 great fishes, yet the net did not break (John 21:11). Paul’s words ring true here: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Likewise, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Before Peter brought any fish to shore, Jesus already had bread and fish on the fire (John 21:9). Fellowship does not begin with what we provide, but with what Christ has already prepared. This scene reflects the early church in Acts 2:46-47, where believers continued in fellowship, breaking bread with gladness, praising the Lord, and the Lord adding to the church daily.
He Extends Himself to You in Personal Supping
Jesus’ invitation is simple yet profound: “Come and dine” (John 21:12). The risen Christ did not distance Himself from His weary disciples; He welcomed them. This same invitation is heard again in Revelation 3:20, where He promises fellowship to all who open the door. It is echoed in Matthew 11:28-30, where the weary are called to rest in His yoke, and in Isaiah 1:18, where sinners are invited to reason with the Lord and be cleansed.
Vance Havner wisely noted, “It is not enough to work for Christ; we must also sit with Him.” John Bunyan likewise emphasized that communion with Christ is the chief joy of the Christian life. The Lord does not merely command service; He offers fellowship.
Conclusion: It is the Lord who stands and waits for you to come to him. He is standing on the shores of grace, ready to receive you and fellowship with you over the warmth of his fire. If you come to him, he will not turn you away. To not come to him is to reject him, and to reject him is to be naked and toiling all alone, empty without hope and without God.
John 21:7-14
“It is the Lord.” With those four words, the apostle John made a declaration that was both spiritual recognition and settled truth. Jesus Christ was not merely present on the shore of Galilee, He was revealed in the heart of his disciples.
Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:3 that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” Spiritual sight is not natural; it is given by God the Holy Ghost and received by faith in the heart of man. Many struggle to recognize Christ until he is revealed in the midst of their sorrow or disappointment.
In John 21, the disciples were at one of their lowest points. They had labored all night, relying on experience, strength, and familiarity, yet they caught nothing. This is often when the Lord draws near. Though they did not recognize Him at first, He was already present, watching, preparing, and ready to speak. As Charles Haddon Spurgeon observed, “Christ is never absent from His people, though they are often unconscious of His presence.”
He Speaks to Your Present Situation
Jesus’ first words were not words of rebuke but of relationship: “Children, have ye any meat?” (John 21:5). The term “children” is one of tenderness and authority. It echoes the language of Christ in Mark 10:24 and reflects the loving correction described in Hebrews 12:5.
Jesus addressed them exactly where they were, tired, empty, and honest. The Lord still speaks this way. When we feel alone, He speaks companionship. When we feel guilty, He speaks forgiveness. When fear dominates, He speaks peace. His words are not empty encouragements; they are, as Jesus said and John wrote, words of “spirit and life.” In seasons of disappointment, God is often preparing gracious designs beyond our understanding.
He Reminds You of His Previous Solution
When John said, “It is the Lord” (John 21:7), recognition came through remembrance. The scene echoed an earlier miracle in Luke 5, when empty nets were filled at Christ’s command. John connected what God was doing now with what He had done before.
This is a vital principle of faith. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” John Newton frequently emphasized that past mercies are pledges of future faithfulness. When Peter heard the truth, he did not hesitate; he plunged into the water, eager to draw near again. Failure had not erased his desire for restored fellowship.
He Abundantly Provides for Your Sustenance
What followed was not a meager provision but an overwhelming abundance. Peter drew in a net containing 153 great fishes, yet the net did not break (John 21:11). Paul’s words ring true here: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Likewise, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Before Peter brought any fish to shore, Jesus already had bread and fish on the fire (John 21:9). Fellowship does not begin with what we provide, but with what Christ has already prepared. This scene reflects the early church in Acts 2:46-47, where believers continued in fellowship, breaking bread with gladness, praising the Lord, and the Lord adding to the church daily.
He Extends Himself to You in Personal Supping
Jesus’ invitation is simple yet profound: “Come and dine” (John 21:12). The risen Christ did not distance Himself from His weary disciples; He welcomed them. This same invitation is heard again in Revelation 3:20, where He promises fellowship to all who open the door. It is echoed in Matthew 11:28-30, where the weary are called to rest in His yoke, and in Isaiah 1:18, where sinners are invited to reason with the Lord and be cleansed.
Vance Havner wisely noted, “It is not enough to work for Christ; we must also sit with Him.” John Bunyan likewise emphasized that communion with Christ is the chief joy of the Christian life. The Lord does not merely command service; He offers fellowship.
Conclusion: It is the Lord who stands and waits for you to come to him. He is standing on the shores of grace, ready to receive you and fellowship with you over the warmth of his fire. If you come to him, he will not turn you away. To not come to him is to reject him, and to reject him is to be naked and toiling all alone, empty without hope and without God.
Posted in Disappointment, Discouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Salvation
Posted in Fellowship, Forgiveness, Restoration, Provision
Posted in Fellowship, Forgiveness, Restoration, Provision
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