Lord

I'm always moved by two stories in John's gospel that are recorded back-to-back: the time when Jesus showed up to confront Thomas and the time right after that when Peter took the gang fishing and the Lord confronted him. I find it interesting that John tells us that Thomas was in that boat.
The Lord waited a week after the other disciples had told Thomas that they had seen Jesus, face to face, in that room--had seen His wounds, before He came to see him. I imagine things may have been a little awkward that week--Thomas implying that his friends were at best, hallucinating, at worst, liars. And then, there He stood, again, undeterred by a locked door. (If He wants in, you won't be able to lock Him out.) And His message, "Peace be with you." I love that our Savior sought out His doubting disciple. Always seeking the one. And don't you imagine there were a few echoes in that room? More than one exclamation, "My Lord and My God!" And a few big burly fishermen with a few tears in their eyes?

But then later, Peter says, "I am going fishing." And Thomas and Nathanael and James and John and a couple other guys said, "We're coming with you." Fished all night, nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. History repeating itself. And don't you think there was a bit of a smile on Jesus' face--a loving smile--when He called out, "Children"--the love--"haven't caught a single fish, have you?" The smile. Then, lots of fish! The grace. And John whispering in Peter's ear--he could be a little slow at times recognizing God's hand at work in his life (I can identify)--"it's the Lord." And Peter--impetuous for the very first time--puts on his clothes, dives into the sea, and swims to shore. And no-longer-doubting Thomas takes it all in. (Bet the Lord cooks a great breakfast by the way!)
Please don't think that the message to Peter is for him alone. Remember any times in your life when you may have failed Him? Convinced yourself that He couldn't--didn't, want to use you any more? Tried to go on with your life--maybe back to the old ways even--and wondered why things weren't going very well? Going horribly, actually. Well, it's time to get busy doing what He called you to do--fishing for men. And the sheep need feeding. Don't just tell Him that you love Him--show Him. After all:

Love = Obedience.

"My Lord and my God!"

"Lord, you know that I love you."

"Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I command you?"

"Feed My sheep" is a command for us all--regardless of our past mistakes and failures and denials. If the Lord didn't use failures, the broken, there would be no one to use. That truth makes a old grown man want to sing. And get busy feeding His sheep.