Wednesday, May 11, 2011
John 21:3 "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.
WAITING
They were up in Galilee, where Jesus had told them to go. And now they were waiting for Jesus. But how do you occupy your time while waiting for Jesus' promised coming? Peter, never one to sit still for long, occupied it with his former occupation: fishing. At least the sons of Zebedee shared that background with him, and all of the group were ready to go along.
It is not a bad idea to occupy yourself while waiting. The Christians at Thessalonika were waiting for Jesus' appearance, too, but they quit their occupations and fell into becoming loafers and meddlers in other people's business. For this Paul found it necessary to chide them.
Wherever the Lord has sent you and me to wait, we also look forward to His coming again on the Last Day. But as we wait we occupy ourselves in many ways. It may be in occupations that seem less than exciting, even hum-drum. But the most normal, everyday occupations will not stop Jesus from coming to us. Nor will doing with all our might the task at hand cause us to miss Him when He comes. The disciples had an all-too-normal night, catching nothing, but Jesus did not need their success. Nor does He need our ideas of success. He has done it all, and comes to bless us.
Oh, joy to know that You, my Friend,
Are Lord, Beginning without end,
The First and Last, Eternal!
And will at last -- O glorious grace! --
Take me unto that holy place,
The home of joys supernal. Amen, Amen!
Come and meet me! Quickly greet me!
With deep yearning, Lord, I look for Your returning.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 343:7)
