3/26/10 John 21 – I have decided to read Acts 1 tomorrow along with Acts 2
Spiritual Discernment
(Jn 21:7)7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.
The apostle John in the previous chapter at verse 8 and here in verse 7 shows spiritual discernment that those around him did not have. In the last chapter when John saw the linen wrappings and the face cloth he made the connection between the words Jesus has spoken to the disciples on several occasions “three days and I will rise again” (Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:34) and the reality of the empty tomb.
Here in verse 7 John is again the one who makes the connection that Jesus is the one on the shore and has called out to them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When John noticed the amount of fish that they had caught he recognized that it was Jesus who was on the beach and had called out to them. He tells Peter, who throws himself into the sea, and swims to shore. The remainder of the chapter has a specific focus on Peter and his relationship with Jesus, the other disciples, and those who will follow.
Sometimes there are people in our lives that are very discerning spiritually. It could be a spouse, a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, a pastor, a co-worker, and even children that make the spiritual connection for us when we have failed to do so. This is why it is important to surround yourself with people who are spiritually minded and one of the best places is the local church.
Today there is a great need for spiritual discernment, because of the ceaseless creation and broadcast of information regarding spiritual things. If believers are not careful they will be swallowed up by all kinds of spiritual talk that is not spiritual truth. Remember why Jesus came into the world “to testify to the truth” as recorded in John 18:37. The best way for a believer to discern truth from lies is to know the Word of God intimately. We must keep our spiritual antennae up at all times even when we are worshipping together less there be an erroneous doctrine introduced and accepted.
Prayer: Our LORD, Heavenly Father, encapsulating all truth you have my praise. I have a great need to abide in you the only one who possesses all truth. Lord, today there is so much information and it comes at us so quickly there are ample opportunities to believe something that is false. I ask that you protect my eyes, ears, and most of all my heart from anything that is not true. I ask also for spiritual discernment in all things so that those whom you have entrusted to my care will be fed, tended, and cared for appropriately, in Jesus name. Amen.