Miracle of Mercy

I Timothy 1:12-17

Paul was a zealous man in all he did. Until he met Christ on the road to Damascus, he fiercely pursued Jesus-followers, persecuting them and blaspheming their God.  “He went around ravaging the church, entering house after house, dragging off men and women, and put them in prison (Acts 8:3).”  When Paul was on his way to Damascus, hoping to carry out further murderous plans, Jesus came and changed his course forever [See Acts 9:1-22 for the dramatic story of Paul’s conversion]. 

Jesus had different plans for Paul – He would use Paul’s zeal for the Father’s holy purposes. “He [Paul] is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel (Acts 9:15).” 

In I Timothy 1:12-17, Paul is reflecting on the miracle of his conversion. Not only did Jesus show mercy toward Paul, who, according to his own definition, was the “worst of sinners,” but also considered Paul a faithful and useful servant.  How Paul must have forever marveled that Jesus would even consider putting him into service after all Paul had done against His name and His people! Paul did however realize that, through his life, Christ would show sinners like us His purpose in coming to our planet. We see the Lord’s patience toward sinners in order to bring them to Himself.  We might say, “If God can do this for (in) someone like Paul, as chief sinner, it shows He can do it for anyone, no matter what they (we) have done.” 

So what have you done that you feel disqualifies you from service?  Even more, what is that “worst” sin you think will keep you from Christ’s saving grace?  Remember Paul’s example…and be assured that you, too can be a miracle of God’s amazing grace and mercy.  You, too, will be put into service for Christ’s kingdom.  You, too, can be a modern-day example of Christ’s patience toward sinners.  You, too, can speak of what He has done in your life – His amazing story in you.  I know He has given me a story; and I ask, Lord, that I may be bold to tell it to other sinners who need to know You will never give up on them – no matter what.

Déjà vu

John 21:1-14

 

Déjà vu – have you ever experienced it? Here is the Wikipedia definition for deja vu: “It is a French word that literally means "already seen" and refers to the phenomenon of having the strong sensation that an event or experience currently being experienced has been experienced in the past, regardless of whether it has actually happened”. This seems a little confusing.

 

Let’s see if this helps.

• In 1959 the Kingston Trio released a song titled “Charlie of the MTA”. It was about a man who was trapped on the Boston subway system. No doubt he must have had a sense of déjà vu as he repeatedly traveled the same route.
• Then in 1970, Crosby Stills Nash and Young released an album by the title of “Déjà vu” with one of the songs on it having the same title. The lyrics include this line: “We have all been here before”.
• Finally, in 1993 the movie titled “Groundhog Day” was about a weather man who, while covering Punxsutawney Phil, discovers that he is doomed to live Groundhog Day over and over and over again.

 

Today’s story must have felt like déjà vu to the disciples as something very similar took place in Luke 5 when Jesus originally called Peter, James and John to follow him. On that occasion, Jesus was speaking to a crowd when he asked Peter to take him out on his boat in order to be heard better.

 

After he was finished speaking, he told Peter to go out to the deep water and drop his nets again, despite the fact that he had been fishing all night without catching anything. Peter argued briefly with Jesus, but ultimately did as he was told. The result was that the nets were so full of fish that Peter needed help to pull them in. Then Jesus told Peter to “come follow me and I will make you a fisher of men”.

 

In the passage today however, Jesus is on shore preparing a nice breakfast for the disciples. Of course, they had been fishing again all night without catching anything. Jesus gives them another tip, once again resulting in a huge catch.

 

Actions speak louder than words, and in this story Jesus is shouting. His message is clear. “Come on guys. Are you going to return to your old way of life by fishing for fish? Or are you going to follow me by fishing for men?”

 

Déjà vu – have you ever experienced it? Has Jesus ever had to tell you something more than once? Have you ever needed to relearn the same lesson over and over again? Have you struggled with the same hurt, hang up or habit time after time? The Good News is that Jesus is always there for us – like déjà vu only real.

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2021%3A1-14&version=NIV;MSG

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/John.21.1-John.21.14