He Goes Ahead Of You Series

Matt 26.32.

Jesus told his disciple “After I have risen I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” and He did! If you ask me, I can tell you, ‘He goes ahead of us’.

He goes ahead of us to restore us back to our calling:

Why was Jesus going to Galilee ahead of His disciples? Galilee was the home town of Peter and other disciples and they went back to it after all those things that happened in Jerusalem.

Peter’s spirit was at the lowest. He had denied the Lord. The feeling of guilt was nagging him. He didn’t feel like calling himself a disciple any more. He could not walk with his head lifted up any more. In Galilee, he decided to quit and go back to his old life, fishing! How often we find ourselves in similar situations. We fail. Then the devil comes and tells us “Give up. You are not worthy to serve Jesus.” We want to give up and go back to our old life.

Through out that night Peter and others toiled, but they caught nothing in their nets!!! Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore. They did not recognize Him. In fact they did not expect Him there! He spoke to them and told them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. A miracle happened! Their nets caught 153 big fish and it was so heavy they were unable to haul it in.

Peter immediately realized it was Jesus! They all knew He was the Lord! Only He could do such miracles; multiplying bread and fish, opening blind eyes and raising the dead. Do we have to go back to our old lives because our hearts are sour with all our failures and disappointments? No!

Three times Jesus asked Peter the heart-probing question if he loved Him. Peter was humbled. Of course he loved Him! I think Jesus gives us opportunity to repent and confess our sins and failures to receive His forgiveness. When Jesus asked Peter thrice, Peter’s heart must have been broken. When Peter replied with tears, “Lord you know that I love You”, I think, there was repentance and there was confession. Jesus said to him the second time, “Follow Me.”

Peter’s faith was restored! His calling to the ministry was restored!! He would no more be ‘Simon’, the feeble reed. Jesus had called him to be ‘Peter’ the rock and that is what he would be!! Jesus had restored him!!!

He wants to restore us to our calling; He does not want to cast us away. He wants us to love Him, to follow Him, and to serve Him. He who has called us is faithful. God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable! (Rom.11.29)

He goes ahead of us to prepare things for us.

When Peter and others landed on the shore there was fish on a fire of burning coals and some bread. Jesus had prepared their breakfast. How much He loves us and cares for us! He prepares things for us beforehand.

It is written “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”. 1 Cor.2. 9.

The land that was promised to Abraham was not an after-thought of God when He called him out of Ur. He had already prepared it. God’s people had to go and posses it. There were strong and powerful enemies on their way. But God had already prepared the victory for them. God told Moses, “I am sending an Angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” (Ex.23.20) They defeated every enemy on the way. The Psalmist says in Psalm 23.5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” God has every blessing already prepared for us. All blessings are Yea and Amen in Jesus Christ!!! He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1. 9)

He goes ahead of us to make a way for us.

I love the story of God’s people crossing the red sea. It a fantastic demonstration of God’s redeeming power. It thrills me to read how God’s power parted the Red Sea when there was no way for God’s people to go when Pharaoh’s mighty army was closing in to annihilate them. But God was going ahead of His people and the Red Sea had to give way. God will make a way where there is no way!!! The One who breaks open the way will go before us!!! (Micah 2.13) He knows the way and He is the WAY!!!