It Is the Lord

“After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” (John 21:1-7a NRSV).

Now we’ve all heard the saying, it’s the little things that count.  A husband might buy his wife everything she asks for but it’s the priceless moments in time that she craves the most.  A long-time employee might come to work to keep receiving their paycheck but the truth is they are just one insult away from quitting their job.  An absentee parent may send their child gifts after gift after gift when all that child really wants is to see the parent they love and miss so much.  Don’t get me wrong, everybody loves a grand gesture every now and then.  But it’s the little things that count.  Going to work every day, even when you don’t enjoy your job.  Showing up for church every week, even when the music isn’t quite right.  Taking out the trash, doing the dishes, and even cleaning the toilet at home.  They’re all little things that make a big difference.

Perhaps no one understood this principle better than the resurrected Jesus.  Sure, we all know that eventually Jesus would ascend to heaven as we read in the first chapter of Acts.  And I’m sure that was quite the grand gesture to behold.  But before the ascension, Jesus had one signature move that when executed, would instantly prove his identity as the risen Savior.  Jesus would invite his disciples to sit and eat.  It’s a little thing that makes a big difference.

The disciples had become so accustomed to Jesus’ dinner habits that even the way he caught fish reminded them of Jesus and revealed to them when God was in their midst.  Jesus is doing the same thing with us every day.  Every day we wake up, Jesus is showing us the mercy and grace of God.  Every day, Jesus is showing God’s love to us through others, whether they be human or animal, friend or stranger.  Every day, Jesus is inviting you to recognize God’s presence among us, and every day Jesus is inviting you to sit, eat, and fellowship with the resurrected Savior of the world.  As you begin your small group discussion today, remember each of those little things that make a big difference is not just a coincidence, “It is the Lord!”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.