1 Ixthus > 153 Ixthus

Here’s some news for you. If you never come in from the shore - you never can enjoy the fish and bread. Sadly, there are some who are so worried about getting all those fish in - that they never get to shore. They aren’t satisfied with the 153 - and say, “hey - there’s a lot more fish out there! Let’s go back out and get a thousand more!” So while Jesus is waving from the shore saying, “hey - I GAVE you those IXTHUS - come here - for the biggest catch of your life! I am the IXTHUS - Jesus Christ God Son and Savior!” They in turn say, “we’re going out for more.” Jesus then sadly shakes his head and says - “go on then - and sail into the lake of fire.” You and I have the biggest catch ever when Jesus jumped into the net of our hearts. He gives us not only the bread of life, but plenty of ixthus and food to last in this life as well. It’s all good to make sure you keep the ixthus he puts in your net - but don’t you think it would be even better to take on the attitude of Peter - to not worry so much about the job, the family, the play, and focus on what’s really important - getting to Christ. Isn’t that more important than making sure all the fish are to the shore? If Jesus puts them in the net - and makes sure the net doesn’t break, all to draw us to Himself - the one true IXTHUS, then can’t we be assured that he can get the other ixthus to shore as well?

When I first got into the ministry, I didn’t know anybody. I was left all alone in western Kansas to a church in the middle of nowhere. That’s when I met my future wife and her mother and father. Right from the start there was a definite physical attraction. Bekah made me the most wonderful apple pie. Then my future mother in law started spoiling me every week with greasy hamburgers and pizza at the Pizza Hut. Her dad then introduced me to Kansas fed beef hot off the grill. The more I ate with them, the more attracted I - and especially my stomach - physically became. My stomach said to me, “you need to hang on to this one.”

Jesus - the IXTHUS - Jesus Christ God Son and Savior - used a different IXTHUS - 153 of them - to grab his disciples’ attention. When they caught those fish - they knew - “it is the Lord.” It caused them to get to shore and eat breakfast with their Savior. Jesus used fish to give them the biggest catch of their lives. He uses different fish to do the same with you. So stop wandering around in the sea - looking for more ixthus. Put on your garments, jump into the water, swim to shore, and enjoy the meal that the Risen Christ is giving you today. He saying to you - “I’m your IXTHUS - Jesus Christ God Son and Savior - who died on the cross and rose from the dead. Believe in me, and enjoy a full course meal of eternal salvation that never gets stale, never runs out, and always tastes good.” Amen.