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John 
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Day 356

John 21:1-25 "THE COMMAND TO GO TO GALILEE"

Day 356 – John 21

THE COMMAND TO GO TO GALILEE

When the women Disciples met the angels of the Lord in the Garden Tomb, they were instructed to tell the Disciples that they were to go to Galilee.

“And go quickly and tell His Disciples that
He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is
going before you into Galilee; there you will
see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
Matthew 28:7

However, when the women folk told the men Disciples that they had met angels, and also the risen Lord, they were met with disbelief! They did not make their way to Galilee, as they were instructed.

Jesus came to the Disciples to speak to them. They were hiding themselves behind shut doors in Jerusalem. The atmosphere was still very tensed, for the crucifixion of Jesus was still very raw and fresh in the minds of both the enemies and the Disciples! If only they had gone to Galilee, they would have been able to move more freely, and feel less threatened.

Eight days later, the men still had not made their way to Galilee! Not all were convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead, among them was Thomas! It took another special appearance from Jesus to convince him that He had indeed risen from the dead!

It was so unlike the Disciples to dawdle when it came to the question of obedience to Jesus! It took at least two special appearances from Jesus to get them to obey what seemed like a very simple and straightforward command. “Indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.”

Jesus never gave a word to His Disciples without good reason. Sometimes, He would explain those reasons. At other times He expected them to trust Him. At all times, He expected them to recognize His lordship and that meant implicit obedience. On this occasion, the Disciples lingered on in Jerusalem, for whatever reason they harboured in their minds.

IN GALILEE AT LAST

Why did Jesus give instructions to His disciples to go to Galilee? Why did He tell them that He had gone there ahead of them?

Several reasons may be suggested. Let us ponder over some of them:-

1. For a Time of Rest and Reflection

On an earlier occasion, Jesus ordered a rest for His disciples, when He noted that they seemed so caught up with their work. The synoptist Mark captured this moment in the following text.

“Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told
Him all things, both what they had done and
what they had taught. And He said to them,
‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place
and rest awhile.’ For there were many coming
and going, and they did not even have time to
eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the
boat by themselves.”
Mark 6:30-32

The last week of the life of Jesus was hectic, to say the least. The crucifixion of Jesus had also taken a heavy emotional toll on the Disciples! Jesus knew His Disciples well. It would do them a world of good to get away from Jerusalem! Many of them were not city folk. They were used to the outdoors, the open fields and the beautiful Sea of Galilee. It was good, kind and gracious of their beloved Master to plan for such a rest for His worn out Disciples!

2. A Question of Learning How to Practise the Lordship of Christ

The Disciples had to get used to the fact that Jesus the Risen Lord would no longer be with them as before! Nevertheless, He was still Lord of their lives. He may give instructions through different people, but there was no mistaking His authority and leading in all matters!

Unfortunately, the Disciples failed the first test of this new relationship. Jesus had to appear to them in Jerusalem to reassure them that He had risen from the dead. How much more wonderful it would have been for the Disciples if they had acted in faith and in obedience to the command of Jesus and they had gone to Galilee. More than a week had passed already. It would take a few days to make their way to Galilee. No more time must be wasted. Jesus still had many things to teach them before His Ascension to heaven!

At last, the Disciples arrived in Galilee, in obedience to the word that He had given through His angels! John noted this in the following text.

“After these things Jesus showed Himself again
to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this
way He showed Himself.”
John 21:1

John gave another name for the Sea of Galilee. This “new” name was given to honour the Emperor of Rome.

Who went to Galilee? John mentioned some names in this text.

“Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,
Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons
of Zebedee (James and John), and two
others of His Disciples were together.”
John 21:2

Were ALL the disciples there? Apparently not! Some could still be struggling with their faith! The work of strengthening the Disciples must be attended to before they could be sent out into the mission field!