“But when morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.” John 21:4
If one would do a word study on the subject of the “shore,” referring to that of the sea, one would discover that it would be filled with life-changing meaning. Perhaps the first thing, and that of greatest importance, is that it was often a place of meeting, Jesus with the disciples. Though there would be intermittent storms, the shore was a place of quietness, peace, and solitude. It was a place where Christ taught His disciples, fed them, and unveiled to them His wondrous glory. It was there also that He, after the resurrection, would console, encourage, and exhort each disciple to follow Him. Though Jesus would guide each disciple differently, as their calling was specific and individual, that which was common to all was His calling to simply, and wholeheartedly, follow Him. The shore was a wondrous place of meeting where the great, eternal issues of man’s existence, purpose, and calling, were expounded upon. Not only would Jesus teach in private to His disciples on the shore, but He would also address the multitudes. The shore was a place of meeting with God and being met by Him.
Secondly, we see the shore as a point of destination. The mariners of Jesus’ day, and our own, would travers vast expanses of water to gain the shore of a destination, sometimes even unknown. It was therefore not always with great knowledge that these mariners would set forth in search of the distant shore, not knowing the exact location, nor what they would find when they arrived. Abraham was similar to the mariner, as he set out on a quest that God had given him, “…not knowing whither he went.” (Heb. 11:8) Equipped with the promises of God, he would venture forth, in essence, for a distant shore. This distant shore which Abraham sought was, “…a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (v.10) Abraham would be followed by many others after him who also were seeking a “heavenly” country, for there God had prepared for them a city, an eternal one. The distant shore was for them that dwelling place of God, where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father. So, if we return to our illustration of the sea, and the distant shore, we understand that this shore is a destination, desired and sought after to the point of being willing to leave all else behind. On that shore is Christ…waiting. He is the great blessing of the shore.
Thirdly, the shore is also a place of security, of rest. When the disciples of old encountered the tempestuous sea, their boat filling with water, and the unrelenting wind hurling around them, twice Jesus came to their rescue. Once he came walking on the water, and the other was when he was sleeping from fatigue during the storm. When he was received into the boat the first time, the wind ceased. When He rose from his sleep to rebuke the wind and waves, there was a great calm. Though the shore, with its security and protection, would be reached in both circumstances, it was Christ Himself who was the stability in the storm. It would be His presence which would bring peace, not only to the situation, but to the heart.
Finally, the shore is a door and a limit. It is a door for it is the way by which one is saved from the raging sea. It is also a limit where the sea cannot come any further. This blessed border is the edge of a haven, beyond which is that city that Abraham was seeking. It is that beginning point of knowing Christ as we are known. It is that point of entrance and passage, opening up God’s promised land beyond, a place prepared for the believer before the foundation of the world. It is there that fulness of communion with Christ is known.
Dear Father, Bring us safely to the shore and beyond, to know Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.