It’s The Lord

John gives us a picture of the risen Christ standing on the beach at dawn. Jesus gave the disciples breakfast and showed them his compassion and direction. The disciples had already seen and experienced the resurrected Christ, but still had many questions. They felt a surge of expectation, so they traveled the ninety miles from Jerusalem back up to Galilee to go fishing. Though they were still trying to put it all together, this was familiar territory, and they were hopeful. They conversed as they traveled and discussed their future plans. When would they see him again? What would he say to them?

They fished all night but caught nothing. Then, a lone figure on the shore asked them: “Did you catch anything?” They replied, “No.” He told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and when they did, they made a huge catch. The same thing had happened three years earlier at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. They had fished all night and had caught nothing. They made an enormous catch when Jesus told them where and when to cast the nets. The fishing trips were similar.  Both times, the disciples had been frustrated by a fruitless catch. Both times, Jesus commanded them to let down the net once more. Each time, there was an incredible catch. They saw Christ’s care for his followers in these miracles of provision and providence.

They did not recognize Jesus when he called out to them from the shore. It was still dark, as dawn was just beginning to appear, and the disciples were tired and ready to call it a day. They probably were not thinking of the Lord, but Jesus had not forgotten them. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus” (John 21:4-5).

One of the great tragedies of the Christian life is failing to recognize the most significant victories in life and eternity when they are staring us in the face. We are often blind to what God has done and is doing. Mary Magdalene did it when she said, “They have taken my Lord away” John 20:13). Mary’s eyes were fixed on the empty tomb, which represented disappointment and sorrow. Her Lord was gone. Overwhelming sorrow and regret will take away your Lord. Willful sin and self-indulgence will take away your Lord. Pursuit of self-will will rob you of peace and take away your Lord. Mary looks at the tomb with her back to the Lord, unaware that He is there. Not until he speaks does she turn around.

John recognized who it was and called out, “It’s the Lord!” (John 20:7). When they landed, he told them to bring some of their catch. He did not need their fish. What he had would have been enough. But he was teaching them that he valued their part.

“It is the Lord!” It expresses the idea for all of us as we toil through life. In the darkness, “It’s the Lord!” He is There! “It is the Lord!” In our failures, when the nets are empty, “It is the Lord!” When our nets are full, “It is the Lord!” In all of life, “It is the Lord!”

A Sovereign God

 What are the consequences of having a casual attitude toward Jesus Christ? Those who dismiss him as a good teacher or moral example make a big mistake. Those who ignore him are equally mistaken. Those who claim to follow him but take him for granted are no better off. The Bible declares that Jesus is God! We will recognize him now or later.

David understood that bringing the ark to Jerusalem was a significant undertaking. Therefore, he called for 30,000 soldiers and many other representatives from Israel to accompany him in this venture (2 Samuel 6).

The ark was a gold-plated wooden box approximately four feet long, two feet wide, and high. Moses made it according to God’s instructions. It was fitted with gold rings, through which gold-plated wooden poles were placed for the priests to carry it. A pure gold cover with a solid gold cherub was at each end. It contained a jar of mana, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets engraved with the words of the Ten Commandments.

The ark had specific instructions about moving it, and they were ignored. It was to be covered when moved, but it is being carried in full view of everyone. Only the priests were meant to carry the ark by its poles, but it was transported in a new cart (1 Chronicles 15:13).

The tremendous procession had not gone far when an incident occurred. There was a slight stumble by the oxen pulling the cart and a quick response from the priest watching the cart’s precious cargo. However, when Uzzah touched the ark, the Lord struck him down.

The music stopped, and everyone was stunned. There, “beside the ark,” was the lifeless body of Uzzah. David was angry because he could not understand what had just happened. The Lord had been angry that someone had touched the ark, and David was angry because it had happened. David hated what had happened, but this did not mean he hated the Lord. He was deeply troubled by what had happened. The narrator writes: David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” (2 Samuel 6:9)

The question expresses the opposite of presumption. The person who asks David’s question has learned that the Lord God is not under our control. We never fully understand him. We certainly have no control over him. He is the holy God. This may have been the occasion for David writing Psalm 24: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god” (Ps 24:3-4). Daniel later wrote: “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him” (Daniel 4:35).