it's all good

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

Main Point: Grace covers the guilt and commissions you to Go!

Have you ever been left hanging before? Maybe someone stood you up, or forgot about something that they said they would do for you? Or, worst of all, you were trying to give someone a hand shake and they didn't see your hand sticking out there. They just left you hanging.

Jesus knows all about what it feels like to be left hanging. The night Jesus was betrayed, His closest friends left Him hanging. They ran, fled and abandoned Jesus to save their own lives. Even Peter, the one disciple who proclaimed that he would never leave Jesus hanging. The truth is we all have left Jesus hanging. Literally. It was our sin that left Jesus along and hanging on a bloody cross. Jesus did this because His love and grace is just too good to comprehend.

In John chapter 21 we see Jesus appearing to His disciples after He had been raised from the dead. Jesus prepares breakfast for the disciples as they were out fishing. I think the disciples were finding it extremely difficult to live with the fact that they ran and left Jesus alone to be falsely accused and ultimately be put to death as a result. The beauty of this story is that Jesus invites all of the disciples back into fellowship and relationship. He restores Peter. Jesus gives the disciples assurance that they are good with Jesus. The Grace that Jesus generously gives covers all of their guilt. Now that the relationship is right, the disciples can now go and do what Jesus has destined them to do.

Today we want you to know that Jesus has made your relationship right with Him. You didn’t do this, but He made the relationship right. The guilt that you carry is covered by His blood that He shed for you. He invites you to breakfast like He did with the disciples. He invites you into greater intimacy with Him. Live from this place of peace. Know that Jesus is for you and not against you. Know that Jesus has forgiven you. His Grace covers your guilt, so you can now go and do what He’s called you to do!

Deeper Focus:

-Are you overwhelmed with guilt in a particular area in your life?

-Is this guilt holding you back from stepping into something that you know you should?

-Today, think about how Jesus restored and encourage His disciples after they had left Him hanging in the worst way.

-As we close this 21 days of focus, move forward with confidence this year knowing that God’s Grace Covers your guilt so that you can now go.