No going back----
After the Resurrection there is no going back:
What do Peter and many of the disciples do before they start following Jesus?
Luke 5:
“Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. ” (Luke 5:1–11, NASB95)
They fish.
Matthew collected taxes, but that's a no going back situation
They're apparently good fishermen, or at least good enough: not only are they making a living at it, but Zebedee & Sons even have hired servants (Mark 1:19-20)
Then what happens?
They spend the next 3 years following Jesus---they've preached, they've healed, cast out demons, prepared for an overthrow (Peter and swords)
Then the crucifixion happens, the Resurrection. The disciples know Jesus is risen.
Yet they don't know what to do. Really.
So they go back and do what they were doing before. Fish.
They're not any good at it. They fish all night. They catch....nothing.
Why?
Because they're not supposed to fishing for the sake of fish anymore. Those days are gone. What are they supposed to be doing?
Being followers of Christ.
When the Lord shows up, they catch fish. 153 of them, to be exact.
What do we learn?
After the Resurrection, we must be different----
Why?
We are not even capable of what we once were. That part of us is supposed to be dead: Galatians 2:20---it is crucified.
Our life is found first as a disciple, and then second in whatever else we do----let us do it all for the glory of God.
PM:
Do we see?
Do we understand?
All of the Law, the Prophets, the Old Testament: intended to point us to Christ.
Yet apart from a relationship with Him we don't get it.
When we are buried in our sadness----we don't get it.
When we are buried in our traditions---we don't get it.
When we are buried in our busyness---we don't get it.
We must take the time:
To hear the Word
To fellowship with one another
To meet the Master.
Take the time for these things. Otherwise we miss what we need most: reminding of the Living Christ.
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