Always On Time

Over the years of living here in the United States, I have learned to discipline myself to being on time. As much as possible, I do not want to be late, especially when meeting someone. I don’t like being late, but there have been extenuating circumstances beyond my control when I have been late to meetings. And if you, the one reading this, happen to be one who has waited for me for hours, I’m sorry. I also hate being on the other side waiting for someone! There is a running joke in the Philippines of how Filipinos always run late. They even have a name for it – Filipino time!  So, the next time I’m late for a meeting, please understand where I come from. 

Kidding aside, my reflection for today comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 21. 

It was a depressing moment for the disciples. Jesus, their Master, was crucified, and even though Jesus already revealed himself twice after he resurrected, the disciples didn’t know what to make out of life. They were probably asking themselves, “What now? Where do we go from here?”

Peter just denied his Lord, whom he earlier confessed as the “Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) I can imagine that Peter was simply devastated and probably disappointed with himself. Obviously, he was bothered by the whole situation. He was depressed.

When faced with similar situations, I usually go out by myself. Just drive somewhere where I get “peace.” Probably go to play tennis, go mountain biking, or read a book. Sometimes I would talk to someone and vent to take out some of the tension and frustration.

Peter was in a state of fear, confusion and depression at that time, and so he went to his “happy place” – fishing.

But to add insult to injury, the narrative said that Peter and some of the other disciples were fishing all night, but they didn't catch anything! Now, imagine the huge frustration Peter must have had. Maybe at this point Peter already wanted to give up on life. After all, fishing was his life. It was his livelihood and the means to feed his family, and now it wasn’t working out for him. On top of that, the Life giver Himself, Jesus, was gone, and He was nowhere to be found… Or was it because of his darkened soul that he couldn’t see Jesus?

Ellen White, in her book, Desire of Ages, says, “All the while a lone watcher upon the shore followed them with His eye, while He Himself was unseen” (810).

Peter was just about to call it quits when he saw Jesus! The gospel of John says, “Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” (John 21:4 ESV)

The story goes on to say that Jesus provided them with a huge catch, “so many fish that they were not able to haul it!” More than enough to provide for them and their families! And more importantly, Jesus' presence provided spiritual rescue for Peter’s dying soul.

The passage says, “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.” (John 21:7 NLT)

Friends, Jesus comes on time! He is always on time! He may not be where you want Him to be, but He is there all the time. He may not seem to appear in the darkest times of your life, and we may be “fishing all night,” but He shows up right at the “break of dawn” where you can see His power the most!

“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus… That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!...” John 21:4,7 ESV