It is the Lord!
- kmlemen
- Jul 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Happy July 15th, men and women of God! It’s hard to believe that it’s been one month since going live with Fruit on the Vine. As mentioned when I launched, FOTV is a repository of faith building tools and resources created with people like you in mind. In addition to continuously adding new content to the site, we will push out monthly newsletters called “The Overflow”. Every month on the 15th (because, after all John 15 is what we are founded on), you can find a new issue to encourage you in your race. The goal is to share with the FOTV community something fresh that the Lord has shown me over the last month and to link some content that has personally benefited me.
This month as I share from the overflow of what God has been teaching me, I’ll be referencing a story found in John 21:1-14. Taking place after the resurrection of Jesus, it’s the story of how He reappeared to 7 of His disciples as they were fishing. We read in the text how they had set out one evening on the Sea of Tiberias to fish but caught nothing. Absolutely nothing after being at it all night – not even a minnow. Can you relate? I know I’ve been there. I can almost imagine what they must’ve felt like on that boat - tired, discouraged and frustrated as dawn unfolded and they headed in from an unsuccessful trip.
However, it is in this moment where we see Jesus step in and meet them. The disciples didn’t know it was Him, but they heard a man call out, “Children, do you have any fish?”. Ok, Pause. This is Jesus we are talking about so we can be confident that He knew exactly what happened in the fishing trip. Jesus knew they didn’t recognize Him, and He already knew that they had nothing to show for their full night’s toil. But if we learn anything from the red letters found in scripture, Jesus never asks unintentional questions.
He was tee’ing up a big moment for these guys. And usually when Jesus asks us a question, He is actually using it so we can fine-tune our spiritual ears for what He wants us to hear and know. So after the disciples replied and said that they had no fish, Jesus told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”
Next thing we see, they obeyed - and as they did, the text says, “they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.” How amazed they must have been! In a single moment they had caught more fish following Jesus’ instruction than they had from a full night of working out of their own effort and strength. And as this happened, the disciples realized whose instructions they had just followed. John boldly declared and told Peter, “It is the Lord!”
Friends, is it not the Lord who desires to lead us in the right way as we listen to Him? Is it not the Lord who promises to give wisdom when we ask for it? And is it not the Lord that we should see and acknowledge when blessing, abundance and goodness flow? It is the Lord! He is kind, He is faithful and He is generous. And when we obey His instructions, we can expect Him to show up in ways only He can.
But we’re not done with the story yet. As we continue, Jesus shows us even more of His character. Once the disciples realized it was Him, Peter immediately jumped into the water and the others came ashore in the boat with the full net of fish (miraculously unbroken, might I add). There was an eagerness as they approached their friend, their Savior, their Lord. And as they arrived, they found a charcoal fire with some fish and bread – Jesus was prepared for them with hospitality and generosity. He was ready to meet with them. That’s who He is – a God that always has a table set for us to commune with Him; we just need to show up. I am so thankful for our miracle-working, relational God who always wants to reveal himself and spend time with us.
I could write pages about all the revelation I got out of this text, but the last thing I want to point out is how once they arrived Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have caught.” Did you catch that? He said the fish that “you” caught. We just saw how they actually couldn’t catch anything on their own that day and that the fish only came once they listened to Him. Yet Jesus still credited them with the catch in that moment. Wow. I hope you see it - He desires to work in and through us. His work is completed through us as willing vessels. It’s a partnership. And it’s through that partnership and abiding in Him that we get to see miraculous results - it’s how we get to see fruit. Just like the verses in John 15 that FOTV is founded on – apart from Him, we can do nothing. But with Him, wow, what He will do!!
I pray that this story sparks within you just how much God loves you, desires to lead you, wants to commune with you & has specific ways He wants to partner with you to do wonderful works.
Lastly, as will be found in every newsletter, I want to share some content that has benefited me this month. I hope it spurs you on in your faith walk too - links below:
As I sign off, I ask you to remember this truth: your life and what you do with it matters. The world needs you, and as you follow and remain in Jesus, you WILL bear fruit!
Much Love,
Kellie
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