Déjà vu all over again

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. — John 21:1

Baseball legend Yogi Berra is known for his oft-repeated quips like, “It ain’t over till it’s over” and “It’s like déjà vu all over again!”

I wonder if the disciples felt déjà vu when they saw Jesus standing by the shore (John 21). Discouraged and distracted by their own needs in the shadow of Peter’s denial and their desertion of Jesus, they had abandoned their calling to follow Jesus and returned to their previous occupation — fishing.

Then, after a fruitless night of fishing, a voice from the shore called out, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some” (John 21:6). When they did, the nets where so full that they couldn’t be dragged in. No doubt their minds raced back to their first encounter with Jesus — when He showed up on the shore of their careers and, after another miraculous catch of fish, called them to leave their nets and follow Him (Luke 5:1-11).

Like the disciples, we may want to return to our own agendas when we get discouraged in our walk with Jesus. But then Jesus shows up again on the shore of our lives to extend forgiveness and to draw us back to those moments when He first called us.

It’s like déjà vu all over again! — Joe Stowell

Son of the living God! Oh, call us

Once and again to follow Thee;

And give us strength, what’er befall us,

Thy true disciples still to be. — Martin

READ: John 21:1-14

Jesus calls us to follow Him — and repeats His call when necessary.

The Bible in one year:

• Isaiah 30-31

• Philippians 4