Category: Spiritual

The Lord God of Israel commanded rulers of Israel, especially the kings and their officials, to shepherd His people. Their responsibility was to take care of them – that is, feed them, provide them leadership, and protect and defend them. Yes, the shepherds were responsible for taking care of God’s chosen people, but they failed. Instead of taking care of God’s people, many of the leaders provided for themselves and neglected the people.

Therefore, the Lord God of Israel issued a grievous declaration against the shepherds of Israel. The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, saying to him, (v.1), “Son of man, prophesy to the shepherds of Israel that there will be great sorrow to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks (v.2)? 

You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock (v.3). The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost, but with force and cruelty you have ruled them (v.4). So, they were  scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered (v.5). My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them” (v.6).

Irresponsible leaders will be held accountable for their selfish disregard of God’s people whether in the church or the community.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

This passage began with Jesus having revealed Himself to His disciples for the third time after His resurrection (v.14). In vv.15-17 after His disciples had finished eating, Jesus tested the love and faith of Simon Peter. “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Then Jesus commissioned Simon Peter to “Feed My lambs” (v.15). Jesus’ purpose for His disciples, including Simon Peter’s role as a future leader of the church, is becoming more evident. 

Jesus asked Simon Peter a second time, “Do you love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” This time Jesus gave him the commission to “Tend My sheep” (v.16). Jesus repeated the question a third time. Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus commanded him to “Feed My sheep” (v.17). 

The repetition of the question three times was a necessary test for Simon Peter. He had fallen from his relationship with Jesus Christ when he denied Him three times. So, perhaps each time Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” he reflected on the Father’s revelation that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Therefore, confession of his love for Christ three times confirmed his repentance; he was ready to be restored in relationship and ministry with Christ Jesus. Jesus is purposeful in all His ways. Will you trust His purpose for you?

Lift up your voice and give God glory!

John 21:9-14

Here John told us that when the disciples came to shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread (v.9). Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught” (v.10). He was purposefully and miraculously cooking fish and bread on a charcoal fire. Because the disciples trusted Jesus and obeyed Him, Simon Peter showed miraculous strength and was able to drag the net full of one hundred fifty-three large fish to shore. What a haul! Yet, the net remained intact (v.11). Landing this catch indicated what believers can do even when something seems impossible with man if they trust God through faith in Jesus Christ.

In this event, Jesus invited the disciples to come, have breakfast. They dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord (v.12) even though Jesus’ disciples seemingly don’t recognize Him in His resurrected state. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish (v.13). This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead (v.14). He again provided for His disciples. He had a hot breakfast ready to give physical strength to them after a night of toiling unsuccessfully, having caught no   fish. This was a demonstration that whatever believers’ needs are, they can be certain that Jesus is able to meet them – physical or spiritual. In every aspect of this miraculous event, Jesus purposefully began revealing His plan for these fishermen. 

Lift your voice and give God glory!

John 21:7-9, NRSV updated edition

In life we will have successes and failures. Children of God, however, are in a unique position – a relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus. Jesus’ disciples had an unsuccessful overnight fishing trip, but morning came. Morning brought light. Jesus was that light that stood on the shore unrecognized for whatever reason. But because the disciples obeyed Jesus’ instructions to cast their net on the right side of the boat, they miraculously caught a haul of fish so great they could not pull it in. 

For that reason, John, that disciple whom Jesus loved, recognized who He was. John told Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his fisher’s coat about him, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea (v.7). How blessed children of God are! They have faith in God. Children of God recognize and acknowledge that it is the Lord when desires of our hearts have been granted! 

John continued his Gospel, telling us that the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards away (8). Then John wrote that when the disciples had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread (v.9). Out by the water it appeared that Jesus was providing breakfast for His disciples who had toiled all night and caught no fish.

Lift your voice and give God glory!

John 17:16-18; 21:1-6

My late husband, Willie Breland, Jr., was a fisherman; his belief was that if you had not caught anything in one place in 30 minutes, leave and go someplace else. These fishermen, however, chose to have a night of fishing. They did not know that there at the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) they would see Jesus as promised. Jesus is purposeful in His doings; He knew this was the ideal place to appear to them together. Before His crucifixion, He prayed for His disciples. He declared their relationship with Him; they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world (John 17:16). Jesus asked the Father to sanctify My disciples through Your Word, which is truth (John 17:17). He prayed that just as the Father sent me into the world, I am sending My disciples into the world (John 17:18).

After a night of unsuccessful fishing, morning came. Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was Him. He addressed them as “Children” and asked if they had any meat; they answered, “No.”

He directed them to cast the net on the right side of the boat, and they will find some (John 21:6, NKJV). They did, and their catch was so great they were not able to draw it in. This symbolized that believers are unsuccessful outside the presence of Jesus. When they obey Christ, it leads them to miraculous blessings. “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful” (Prov. 16:20, NLT).

Lift up your voice and give God glory!