Devotions with Pastor Blake Owings

Our Mission
John 21:2-3. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),[b] Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

Before the disciples became, disciples most of them were professional fisherman. This story takes place shortly after Jesus was resurrected and revealed Himself to them. They knew that Jesus had defeated death. This is life changing information. But where are the disciples?. Doing exactly what they were doing before Jesus came into their lives. They had fallen back into their comfort zones.

Later in this chapter Jesus has a conversation with Peter.

John 21:15-17
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

Jesus is challenging Peter by asking, "Do you really love me? Do you really trust me? Do you really believe all the things that have happened these last three years? Because, if you do, you can no longer be content to just be a fisherman again. Jesus was inviting Peter on a brand new mission. To teach and care for the people who followed Jesus, as well as people who hadn't yet come to trust in Him.

Jesus gives us this same mission. Matthew 28:19-20 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

With the knowledge that we have of Jesus we can no longer go back to what we are comfortable with. We cannot be content with what we had before. We have a mission — and to accomplish this mission, we need to start doing what we are called to do., How will you carry out this mission this week?
Pastor Blake