After the resurrection of the Lord, the disciples were still not sure what they were supposed to be doing so seven of them decided to go fishing.  They ended up catching nothing after spending all night fishing on the Sea of Galilee.  On the shore they spied a man who asked them how they were doing.  He then suggested that they cast their net on the right side of the boat if they wanted to catch some fish.  The net immediately was filled with fish.  The disciples then knew that the man was Jesus.  He told his followers to bring some of the fish and they had a wonderful breakfast with Jesus on the shore.
            
From this biblical shore lunch we can learn some valuable lessons from our Resurrected Lord.  We can learn a lesson about fruitfulness.  The disciples had fished all night, trying as skilled fishermen to catch something, but had failed.  Jesus gave them a command and when they obeyed it they immediately were fruitful.  We must be careful to follow his orders, his words, and his example if we ever expect to catch anything.
            
Another lesson Jesus teaches us from that meal on the shore is a lesson on fellowship.  The disciples may have enjoyed each other’s company, on the boat, but something was missing.  When they sat down with the Savior, their fellowship took on a special significance.  The sweetness of that meal on the shore was not to be found in the taste of the bread and fish but in the tender presence of the Lord with them.  O how we need to be in fellowship with the Lord Jesus. How empty and meaningless our lives become when we leave him out.
            
Finally a lesson on forgiveness can be learned from our Lord’s words to Peter after that shore lunch.  Peter was asked three times if he loved Jesus.  Those three statements affirming his love to Jesus corresponded to the three times he denied his Lord.  What a tender, compassionate Savior we have who reaches out in our sinfulness and offers us forgiveness and a second chance to serve Him.
            
What a wonderful meal the disciples enjoyed with Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  More than the taste of bread and fish they tasted the fruitfulness, fellowship, and forgiveness that their Lord served them on that morning.  Shall we join them?

I once had a friend who was a garbage collector.  He and his family drove an old pickup and stopped at the side of the road and got out of the truck at each stop.  They then lifted the garbage cans and dumped them into the truck and took them off to the dump.  I often thought how physically demanding, dirty and smelly that job must have been.  It was very hard work but honest and necessary.  The other day I got behind a garbage truck on its rounds.  However this garbage collector operated differently.  As the truck pulled up to his stop a huge claw came out from the back and grabbed the oversized trash can.  It then mechanically picked that plastic barrel up and deposited the trash in the truck and then returned the can to the side of the road.  The driver never had to get out of his truck.  I thought… wow, garbage collection has become more sanitized and a whole lot easier.

Believers in Christ are called to a very necessary work.  That work is to interact with people in all walks of life and share the gospel of Christ with them.  The work of gospel ministry is very personal.  We have to build relationships with individuals and show them that we care for them.  From those bridges that we have built with people we then can share the love of Christ and try to win them to the Savior.  The work of gospel ministry requires us to get out of the truck.  We cannot win people to the Savior with an impersonal, sanitized, uncaring attitude.  Everywhere Jesus went we can observe how He talked with, how He touched, and how He prayed with people.  The story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan should teach us that if you are going to help people you have to get concerned, get involved, and even get a little dirty.

I think when it comes to picking up the trash, those new trucks are the way to go.  But when it comes to reaching people with the gospel, the only effective way for God’s people is the personal touch.  Don’t you think it is time that we get out of the truck?