Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish? . . . When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.”- John 21:4-5, 9
As Tullian Tchividjian concludes Chapter 6 of One Way Love, he references Jesus appearing to the disciples on a beach by the Sea of Tiberius. Despite how the disciples had acted following Jesus’ death and resurrection, He had come to cook breakfast for them. He even addressed them as His “children”, a term that could be used for a person of any age with whom there is an endearing relationship.
Pastor Tchividjian observes that in Jesus’ role as a short order cook, He demonstrated that He blesses all people, not just those who stand faithfully in times of trial, always trusting and obeying. Tullian explains:
“Irrational, inscrutable, the opposite of a good idea- this is how Christ chooses to work in the world. The wonderful truth is that Jesus doesn’t need perfect vessels to accomplish His will. He needs broken ones- men and women who have been slain, humiliated, disillusioned of all their . . . self-deception.”
As the author concludes, God’s grace meets us in our failure. God’s devotion to us qualifies us for service, not our devotion to Him. Judgment is just a feeling- no longer a reality!
Today’s question: How does Tullian’s description of Christ’s work in the world reshape your understanding of your ministry downsizing or vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Hugging the cactus”
