I attended Dr Joe Stowell's seminar at St Andrews Cathedral last night. What he preached about was a huge revelation to me! The night began with squeezing through packs of people to find a perching spot, but the effect was a magnificent chorus of majestic singing that resounded within the sanctuary. Everyone came with such eagerness and fervent hearts, and despite our different Christian upbringings, we were all united in song. In my bible-study companion's personal account, it was simply "a sight of deafening praise" for the Sri Lankan national beside him was singing with all his might. But in all, it was a pleasant surprise and a warm fuzzy feeling of gladness inside.
Dr Stowell did not delve into the book of Philippians as scheduled. Instead he chose to deviate to another topic which he probably felt compelled by the Spirit to teach about. He preached about the link between Mattew 4 and John 21--how Simon Peter was first called to follow Christ and how his last encounter was Jesus was played out. Both occurred along the beach when the apostles went fishing. I'm going to briefly mention some learning points here (together with a little research I did based on some of the things he said) because it spoke really deeply to me and I hope you glean some new insights that will refresh and nourish your understanding of the Word. Importantly, I felt that the sensitivity Dr Stowell had towards the intricacies of the bible scripture encouraged me and spurred me on to read the bible deeply instead of superficially.
1. WHO ARE WE?
Dr Stowell first challenged asked by asking us who we were. And obviously, most of us would have replied that we were tailors, doctors, admin workers, candle-makers, etc., according to our occupations. But really that creates a problem when we retire or lose our jobs, because along with that, we will relinquish our self-identity and go into a serious conundrum.
We need to identify ourselves as Christians, followers of Christ. Dr Stowell also mentioned that the early Christians in the bible were known as "People of the Way". True enough, as I did my own search, I realized that this was actually a derogatory term that was used by the Romans to define people who practiced the Christian faith. After all, Jesus was "the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). What was amazing for me was that people then were not just recognized by what they belief in (which was Christ), but they were known for following "the way" . This early title reflected the importance of our Kingdom lifestyle.
In Psychology, there are experiments revealing that people who admired or liked certain others would emulate them in action and this was experimentally uncovered when their concrete gestures seemed to imitate the person of admiration or adoration. So likewise, our love for Christ should be exhibited in the manner we behave. If we are truly "People of the Way" (Acts 9:2; 18:24), how do we reflect His ways?
As you read the gospels, you will soon realize that Jesus is one true "deviant" (I'm not saying this to blaspheme against Him, nor am I suggesting that I'm using it negatively). He does not conform because the world accords low status to prostitutes and tax-collectors but He reaches out to them in generosity and love nonetheless; the world celebrates greed and money but he encourages us to forsake these in light of greater things to come. His "way" is a totally different one. It is a narrow one separate from the broad and comfortable one many are treading today.
WHO ARE WE?
WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE WAY!
2. REMEMBER YOUR FIRST CALLING?
Dr Stowell also prompted us to remember our first calling to follow Christ. We were taken to the book of Matthew where Simon Peter was called (Mt 4: 18-20). The crucial text that goes unnoticed very often is the part where Peter and Andrew were said to "left their nets". They dropped their nets, and what is significant about that you may ask? They left everything behind, their job and identity, and took on a new one as a follower of Christ. They immediately dropped their nets! I'm not saying that you should quit your job (neither is Dr Stowell proposing that), but we need to remember that what you do isn't your identity. Besides, we are not saved by our righteousness and our deeds, if so we would all never attain salvation. We are saved by grace, God's grace. Doing tons of charitable acts will not determine your eternity.
Here in chapter 4 of Matthew was an important link to John 21 where the disciples decide again to go fishing. I presume some of you are seeing some light now. By then, Jesus was already crucified and the hope they harbored for Him to achieve certain political prowess and extinguish the Roman sovereignty in their land was diminished. The disciples were obviously feeling defeated and devastated, and hence they returned to their trade. And perhaps, they were deciding to forgo everything they had invested in within the last three years of their time with Christ. They took up their nets again and went fishing, but in verse 3 as it was said that they "caught nothing". Dr Joe Stowell mentioned that sometimes leaders fail when they don't follow Christ, and I guess there's an element of truth in that in our lives. When we ignore what we were called to. Remember that God's plans for us are always far better than what we have planned for ourselves--believe me ya!
At the end of the chapter, Jesus asked Peter the same question 3 times. If it were me, I'd probably feel equally hurt like Peter. I mean, likely Peter was going in his heart: "Jesus, are you doubting me?" But when He said that, it could be that Jesus was trying to convey the seriousness in what he was asking. He was probably telling Peter: "No, I mean seriously, do you really love me?". It was not just a brotherly love Jesus was looking for, but an Agape love--the highest of all, one that was unconditional. And He then asked Peter to "feed me sheep". I guess we would all simply think that Jesus was trying to say that if we loved Him, we should heed his Word to love our neighbors and serve others.
More deeply, Jesus was instructing us to care for what He cared for. Just like how you would care for what your loved one would care for, in the same way, we are called to care for what Jesus cared for most--His people. And have you ever wondered why humans are referred to as sheep? According to Dr Stowell's theory, sheep are not very smart in the animal kingdom--they just go baah all day. They are one of the weakest. They break their legs easily, they fall easily. They symbolize the neediness in the world. Jesus cared about the needy and their needs and was asking Peter to do the same. And He is asking us to do the same.
JESUS, PLEASE SHOW UP ON THE BEACH OF OUR LIVES ONCE AGAIN. JUST LIKE HOW YOU FIRST CALLED US, LET US RELEASE THE NETS IN OUR HANDS AND RESPOND LIKE HOW PETER DID. HE RAN TO YOU ON THE BEACH.
Lastly, Jesus supplied everything. In verse 9 you'll see that Jesus was already making breakfast and calling out "come and have breakfast". Like wow, Jesus you are amazing. The whole load of fish they caught that morning amounted to 153. And mind you, they were "large" fish (v. 11). This scene encapsulated God's provision in our lives. When you decide to follow Christ, you don't need to worry about the needs in your life because Christ will supply them all. Jesus showed up three times after He was crucified. He did so always at the weirdest times, but they were the most life-transforming moments. He's amazing!
REMEMBER YOUR FIRST CALLING AND HOW YOU RELINQUISHED EVERYTHING AND LET GO OF YOUR WORRIES AND BURDENS.
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