Perhaps, for whatever reason, you need comfort and encouragement today. Everyone has a built in need to be comforted and encouraged. The Lord has designed us for relationship, and it is in these relationships that we can be comforted and encouraged.
Disciples Were Comforted and Encouraged
Peter and the rest of the disciples were confused. They didn’t know what the future would hold for them. Jesus had told them many things, but they hadn’t understood all of it. That would come later when the Holy Spirit would give them insight. But in the interim, the disciples needed comfort and encouragement, so the resurrected Jesus comes to them a third time.
John 21:7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. [1]
Not only did Jesus enable them to have a huge catch of fish, He had breakfast ready for them. They were able to sit around the fire, eat, and talk as they encountered Jesus in a new way.
Do you need Comfort and Encouragement?
Jesus showed up just at the right time for the disciples and still does that for us today. We can talk to Him anytime we want in prayer and He can speak to us through His word and the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows the importance of comfort and encouragement.
Isaiah 41:10: Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [2]
Romans 15:13: I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. [3]
To hear more about how Jesus comforted and encouraged His disciples, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-peter
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.