John 21:1. "After these things Jesus shewed Himself again to His disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed He Himself.” SHEWED HIMSELF. He was seen by the disciples behind the closed door of the upper room. There was fear and joy mixed. Fear of the Jews and gladness when “He shewed them His hands and His side.” He gave them peace and a commission to do the same as He had done. “As the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” He gave them the promise that the Holy Spirit would support their work. They were assured of His physical resurrection and had gladness of soul when He showed Himself to be truly the omnipotent RESURRECTED CHRIST.
He was seen eight days later in the same place behind closed doors. Thomas was here this time. He had heard and had not believed. He wanted his faith to be personal. He knew what to look for to have the assurance of the reality of the Lord’s resurrection. He wanted evidence. And now he got it. “Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst…;” He showed Himself again. But there is more this time. He lets them know He hears their words in private conversation, no matter where it is and no matter what is said. He hears, He knows, He understands the reason for the words and actions. Thomas believed and worshipped the Lord Jesus Christ, when he saw the marks in His body and heard the words of His mouth. There is gladness and blessing when He shows Himself to be the omnipresent LIVING CHRIST.
He was seen the third time [Jn.21:14] by His disciples by the sea in Galilee. They hardly knew what to be doing. Waiting is one of the hardest things we have to learn in our lives. They were together but inactive. They were together and ready for any suggestion. They were together and easily influenced to do what seemed natural. The place He met them was in private, at the breaking of the new day. He knew the emptiness of the boat. He knew the uncertainty of their minds. He knew the emptiness of their hands. He knew the emptiness of their stomachs – and He showed Himself to His disciples. When the boat was filled, “the multitude of the fishes;” when their hands were filled, they “were not able to draw it;” when the uncertainty was gone, “It is the Lord.” He showed Himself to be the omniscient LOVING CHRIST.
Peter knew, as the challenge of love came, that He showed Himself. The others disciples knew, as they ate together of the provision He made, that He showed Himself. We know, as we feed of the living bread and drink of the living water, that He shows Himself today. He shows Himself to be with us; “even unto the end of the age.” It is without question that we respond to His presence with joy and gladness today.
“Father, I am always glad when there is the privilege of seeing Him who is invisible to the natural eye. To be able to see Him through faith is one of my life’s greatest pleasures. Amen.”