Text: John 21:1-14

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Half a year in the books. Hard to believe July 4^th is tomorrow. Independence day. Hadn’t given it much thought until preparing for this passage. As American's we go to great lengths to celebrate our “independence”. However, if we’re honest, none of us are nearly as independent as we think or claim.

The disciples were dependent and Jesus in a far different way than us. All of their hopes and dreams were in Him. And when He was crucified & died, it was way more devastating for them to take in than us. Understandably, it took some time for them to adjust.

I suggested yesterday that it wasn’t until their faith had adjusted to who Jesus actually was that they were able to recognize Him post resurrection.

Until we are willing to place our faith in that Jesus, the Jesus He claimed to be, we to can be missing out.

Pains me to say it, but our so-called American independence is antithetical to what glorifies God most. I do love our country, but that love comes in a distant second to my love for God & His Kingdom. John Piper is fond of putting it this way: God is glorified most when we’re most satisfied in Him. Where do you stand on this?

The disciples, to a man, recognized the risen Jesus once their faith & hope accepted Him for who He truly is, not who they wanted Him to be. We would do well to follow their example.

If that’s a struggle for you? If you have doubts, please come and see one of us, John, Mitch, Jeremy, one of the Elders or myself. We’d welcome the opportunity to talk through those doubts.