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14. Don’t read it. Just glance at it. Just scan it and run your
eyes through the text. You will notice that it’s about fishing.
The bible tells us that seven disciples gathered at the Sea of
Tiberias. The Lord filled their nets with one hundred fifty three
fish.
Alright, set that aside. Now look at the second half of the
chapter, 15-23. Verses 15, 16 and 17 say, “Feed my sheep, feed
my lambs, feed my sheep.” The second half of the chapter is
about shepherding. In John 21 you have a story; fishing and
shepherding. That’s the Great Commission. Fishing is winning
souls to Jesus. Shepherding is training people in the Lord.
That’s not my idea. In Matthew when Jesus called Peter, He
said, “I’ll make you fishers of men.”
Let me tell the story in my own words. Seven disciples
gathered together in Galilee. We have the names of five of
them; Peter, Nathanael, Thomas, James and John. There are
two that are not named. I know who they are. That’s you and
me. So, they gathered at Galilee.
When they arrived they were waiting for Jesus to show
up. Matthew 26:32, “But after I have been raised, I will go
before you to Galilee.” Matthew 28:7, “And go quickly and tell
His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold He is
going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold,
I have told you.” Matthew 28:10, “Then Jesus said to them,
‘Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for
Galilee, and there they shall see Me.” Mark 16:7, “But go, tell
His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you into Galilee;
there you will see Him, just as He said to you.”
They had a clear word from heaven. “After I arise again,
I’ll meet you in Galilee.” The angels told them to go to Galilee.
Jesus told them to go to Galilee. So, these seven disciples go to
Galilee. Why did they go to Galilee? They went to see the risen
Savior. He invited them to go see Him alive. That was in their
hearts; to go meet the risen Savior. But at this time He didn’t
give them an address. He didn’t say, “Go to 35 Jerusalem
Avenue.” He just said, “Go to Galilee.”

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