Breakfast with Jesus

Breakfast with Jesus

Jesus’ Third Appearance to the Disciples 

John 20 

21 After this, Jesus revealed Himself again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself in this way: 

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of His disciples were together.
3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.
4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know it was Jesus.
5 “Men,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”
6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” He told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 Therefore the disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter got up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
Jesus’ Threefold Restoration of Peter
16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”
17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 

“No,” they answered. 

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around him (for he was stripped) and plunged into the sea. 8 But since they were not far from land (about 100 yards  away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 

Peter and some of the other men decide to go fishing. Fishing was familiar for Peter as this was his profession before becoming a disciple. He may have felt like this was one of the only things he could control at the moment. He had just witness Jesus, whom he loved die and then raise from the dead, but he was also dealing with some pretty heavy guilt after denying Him not long after claiming he would NEVER do that. He was burdened with shame and in that shame, he fled to familiarity. Instead of catching a multitude of fish-as he had many nights before this, instead he had nothing but empty nets and most likely an empty feeling like only guilt can bring on. BUT THEN Jesus shows up. He asks them to simple cast their nets on the right side of the boat and their nets were filled. As simple as that. Now Jesus could’ve stopped there and we would all see the point that, if we are not in the will of God- we will be unsuccessful. Instead, Jesus goes deeper.

Upon realizing the man on the shore was Jesus, in Peter fashion, he jumps into the water and swims toward his savior whom His heart was truly longing for. Isn’t is amazing that even when we feel angst or guilt, we still have the Holy spirit drawing us back to our savior. We can want to run and hide from God in shame yet at the same time, our inward soul longs to jump out of a boat and run to greet our lord. 

Instead of lecturing Peter about returning to his old ways for comfort, Jesus greats Peter with breakfast as He begins to restore Peter to himself. Breakfast…How awesome is this? Peter kinda blows it…over and over again…and Jesus says, “come have breakfast”. Let me feed you-both physically and spiritually as we are about to find out in the next passages.  

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” 

“Feed My lambs,” He told him. 

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” 

“Shepherd My sheep,” He told him. 

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” 

“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God.  After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!” 

Jesus had come to do for Peter, what He longs to do for each of us: He had come to remove Peter’s shame. Jesus knew that Peter-like you and I-would carry the shame and guilt of his great sin-the denial- for most of the rest of His life unless He intervened. The point of the cross was so that our sin would not longer hold us captive so Jesus makes sure he let’s Peter know that he is no longer a slave and that there is work to be done. What I love about Jesus instruction to Peter is that it shows us that Peter’s place in the kingdom hadn’t changed-despite how badly he blew it. Jesus plan and purpose for him remained the same. Jesus said to Him, Feed My lams…Shepherd My sheep…Feed my sheep… Sure Peter had gotten side tracked and returned to what he once knew, but His calling to be fisher of men was still there.  

Jesus simply reminds Peter of His new purpose on earth-to further the message of love-the gospel. I can think of a million ways I have blown it, but God promises to complete His good work in me and in each one of us. Phil 1:6 says 6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

His power and his love for us are far greater than our sin and shame. There is nothing you have done or will do that can negate what Jesus has already paid for on the cross. 

It’s funny how people often talk about breakfast being the most important meal of the day. We need a good nourishing start to our day and I know its very intentional that Jesus feeds them this specific meal in this passage. We NEED our breakfast with Jesus every single day! We need to be reminded that we are covered in his grace first thing every morning. We need to be reminded that only He can provide that grace-every morning. We need to be reminded of our purpose in this world-every single morning! After a previous day of blowing it (because yes, I blow it every day) I need to wake up first thing and jump out of a boat-and swim to my savior. Instead of running back to what I used to know as comfort, I have to be reconciled to him and listen to him say “come and have breakfast”. What sweeter meal than one our Lord provides.