October 3, 2021
WE KNOW IT IS JESUS
Reverend Marlin Otte
Volunteer and MMM Vice President, Illinois
"Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn.” John 21:4, 6, 11
The full text, John 21:1-14, now has added significance for me beyond the great good news of Jesus’ resurrection! The unexpected abundance of fish caught that day numbered 153 - the same number of people that Pastor Ed Evans and I baptized at one service in 1996! There were so many we ran out of water several times! We too were amazed! In 1996 MMM installed 56 wells in a 5-week period. We were amazed by this number as the previous best year was 1995 at 41 wells.
“They did not know that it was Jesus.” Peter and the disciples had set out on their own to go fishing. Who knows what their expectations were? 10, 25, 50 fish? Certainly, it was not an overflowing 153 large fish in one netting! Why the low expectation? Because they did not know Jesus was fishing with them - from the shore! When one goes with Jesus, be prepared for miracles and to have your expectations exceeded! That is certainly the lesson we at MMM have learned. We set our goals, we calculate our possibilities and year after year we are amazed! In 1996, 56 wells seemed miraculous and for then it was. In 2020, when no American volunteers could go to Africa, we boldly (foolishly?) set our goal in faith at 3,000 wells. But our net overflowed! MMM’s African workers installed 3,172 wells in the middle of a pandemic! As we put on every well we install: “Glory to God!” When we acknowledge and give glory to Jesus, the results will always be blessed. We at MMM seek to always “know that it was Jesus” that brings us our success. MMM’s Statement of Purpose includes: We operate from a position of joy. Having personally witnessed the miracle of God’s blessings throughout our history and having experienced the wonder of being involved in the impossible; we continually marvel and rejoice at God’s presence in the work of MMM.
Application Question: How will I “know it was Jesus” today?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, may we always recognize that you are present and guiding MMM’s goals and actions, even when you are not readily evident in our limited sight. We thank you for the abundance of your blessing and pray with confidence for your continued providence. In the name of our resurrected Jesus we pray, Amen!
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