If you do a Google search on '153' you will find all kinds of interesting properties of this amazing number. For example:
It is the 17th triangular number (1+2+3+4+...+15+16+17 = 153)
And for those who know what a factorial is we find that 1!+2!+3!+4!+5!=153
Then we find that if you sum the cube of the digits you get ... 153
(1^3 = 1x1x1 = 1, 5^3 = 5x5x5 = 125, 3^3 = 3x3x3 = 27. 1+125+27=153)
So what is the significance of the fact that the disciples in John 21 caught 153 fish? In my view - none whatsoever! It is just that it is an unusually large catch of fish and fisherman the world over like to tell you just how many, how long, how heavy their latest catch is. The significance, in my view, is that there were actually 153 fish in the net that morning.
But worrying about the significance of the number 153 draws our attention from the real question: 'what's so amazing about grace?'
This coming Sunday I'm looking at John 20:19 - 21:25. John's gospel is all about belief (20:31). But we know that whilst we may believe something we regularly mess up and let ourselves, others and God down. And then we feel guilty. But at the end of his gospel John wants to remind us of God's grace.
The disicples have heard from Mary that Jesus is alive and yet they are full of fear - and Jesus meets them in their fear and says, 'Peace be with you'.
Thomas refuses to believe - and Jesus meets him in his doubt and says, 'Stop doubting and believe'.
The disciples go back to their fishing boats and then catch nothing - Jesus meets them in their emptiness and provides fullness.
Peter had denied Jesus 3 times - Jesus reinstates him and says 'follow me'.
Where are you in your walk with Jesus? Are you struggling to believe that Jesus will want to meet you where you are because you have let him down again and again and again...
Jesus is not like us. He doesn't give up on us - no matter how many times we let him down. He knows everything. He knows how much we love him and how much we want to follow. Let Jesus meet you at your point of fear, doubt, emptiness, denial, ......
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1 comment:
I had this amazing chat with a former colleague of mine yesterday where he was asking me about how I became a Christian. I told him all about the amazing change that has happened in my life as Jesus revealed more and more of himself to me through dear friends and relatives of mine so that I completely ran out of excuses! As part of the conversation we had was that he said he thought it was a sin to doubt. I told him that God did not condemn us for our doubts; look at Thomas, there are plenty of times that I feel like him. Especially regarding physical health. Though there are all these examples of people (including lovely little ones) who are cured, there are lots of times when people aren't. I don't doubt God heals just trying to get my head around the Kingdom now but not yet....Verona
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