Warriors Arise: September 2, 2020
John 21:4-5 (NKJV) 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.”
The disciples are on the boat, have been fishing all night and Jesus asks, "Do you have any food?" Something tells me, Jesus knew they didn't have any food. But why does He need them to acknowledge their misery, their defeat? There are times when God has asked me a question, not because He didn't know the answer, but because I needed to acknowledge the answer.
The disciples were on their way to meet Jesus. They were so close to being where Jesus had told them to meet Him after His resurrection They were to meet Him on a specific mountain, not on the lake. They made it to Galilee and then they got sidetracked when they saw the water, something familiar, something that should have made them feel secure, even comfortable. Have you moved on from something you used to do only to return to it years later? When thinking about it how it made you feel?
In high school I was a softball fast pitch pitcher. Years later, like 18 years later, I was home for Christmas and my dad was starting his pitching clinic after Christmas. I went with him. He showed me a new drill he was doing with the pitchers. I tried it and was pretty proud of myself until my Dad brought the reality check. "Veridee, they do this drill for 10 minutes." I knew I was out of my league and totally out of shape. I was pleased I could actually do the drill with some success, but I wasn't going to do it for 10 minutes and injure myself. I had absolutely nothing to prove. My time as a pitcher had come and gone. But it was fun to try the new drill. It brought back a flood of memories from my pitching career. The year-round blood, sweat and tears for pitchers along with the team camaraderie, accomplishments, agonies and disappointing defeats. I was living the plans God had for me and pitching was something in the past. I proceeded to pick up balls and know that part of my life was over.
Four of the disciples had returned to their old stomping grounds and tried their former way of life. But Jesus was on the shore calling to them. He wasn't going to let them get caught up in the past when He had prepared them for so much more. His words spoke volumes, "Children, have you any food?"
They went fishing for food to put in their stomachs but Jesus might be offering something they need in their soul. When we lived in the South, I learned of soul food. The disciples were needing the food Jesus offers. They were needing their soul to be fed by the Word of God. Jesus asks, "Children, have you any food?"
In Scripture we read about Jesus teaching His disciples to pray. They are to ask specifically for daily bread.
Matthew 6:11 (NKJV) Give us this day our daily bread.
John records Jesus is the Bread of Life and we need to eat of that truth to receive salvation and eternal life in heaven.
John 6:32-40 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Jesus continues to teach His disciples through communion at the last supper. They commune with God through the breaking of break, remembering Jesus lived to demonstrate God's love, remembering His death that conquered sin, and remembering His resurrection as an example of eternal life.
Luke 22:19 (NKJV) And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
Jesus often asked questions to the disciples and they did to understand what He was asking. I'm not convinced He was asking them if they had caught any fish. I think He already knew. Just like Jesus would know what people said or what was in their heart before they said anything. Jesus calls to them, "Have you any food?"
They were not needing fish at this point; they were needing the Bread of Life. They were needing to remember Jesus and why they were in Galilee. They weren't in Galilee to fish nor return to their former way of life. They were in Galilee to meet Jesus on the particular mountain where He had instructed them to meet.
Father, I ask for You to make known Your amazing love. I pray for Your people to return to You, take a stand to walk in righteousness, and move advance Your kingdom here on earth. As we commune with You, I ask to be reminded of the life You lived here on earth. You faced the mobs, those trying to discredit You, and even the devil himself. You overcame temptation and the devil. You continued to make Yourself available to teach the people God's truth, deliver them from the demonic, and heal the sick. When people tried to discredit You, it wouldn't stick because You walked in the perfect plan God had for You. We can't do this without receiving the Bread of Life, daily and seeking You. Come and meet with us. I ask for You to remind me of Your love. You didn't quit. You didn't quit on people even though they turned their back on You. You didn't quit on Your purpose because of Your love for the Father and each one of us. You didn't quit no matter the pain or disappointment when people turned away from You. You are the Bread of Life we need daily. Come and fellowship with us as we remember all You have done, all You are doing and all You are going to do in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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