Breakfast With Jesus
April 23, 2023
Do you ever feel stuck in your faith? Do you ever wonder if Jesus knows what you’re going through? Do you ever feel like you’re doing your best to follow Jesus, but you just keep messing up? If you’ve ever been there – then what you’re going through is something quite similar to what the disciples were going through shortly after the resurrection of Jesus. For once the thrill of meeting the resurrected Jesus passed, the disciples found themselves where they weren’t quite sure to do with themselves. They knew Jesus had risen from the grave. They knew he didn’t die in vain. And they knew he’d given them the power to continue His mission. But now, they didn’t quite know what to do next. Do they stay in Jerusalem, do they go back home? Do they start their ministry? They needed some direction, some help. They were stuck in their faith.
You ever been there? Have you ever felt stuck in your faith? Well, if you have, then what we’re going to look at today from God’s Word should help us discover a few things we can do when we’re feeling stuck in our faith. So, if that’s ever been your experience, let me encourage you to open you Bible to John 21:1-14, where we can learn from the disciple’s responses to Jesus to get back on track with Jesus.
What’s the first thing we can do to get back on track with Jesus? Let me say it this way:
Obey when it makes no sense: Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So, they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:1-3
Here’s the scene: The disciples have left Jerusalem at the conclusion of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and returned home to Galilee. After the all the ups and downs of Jesus’ death and resurrection; after seeing Jesus twice in the upper room, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, and seeing Thomas worship Jesus – they decided to head back home and find some sense of normalcy by going fishing.
But here’s their problem: After meeting the risen Jesus, nothing was ever going to be normal again. Yes, Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus had empowered them with the Holy Spirit to continue His mission. But Jesus had not yet returned to the Father, so they weren’t quite sure what to do with themselves. Enter Peter. He’s not going to just sit around and go stir crazy waiting for what to do next. He’s got to do something. So, he decides to do something that gives himself a sense of normalcy. He decides to go fishing. And the other disciples jump at the idea. “We’ll go with you.”
Now, there are some who look at this passage and criticize Peter for going fishing, saying, that Peter was abandoning the commission Jesus just gave him. But Jesus never criticized Peter nor the disciples for going fishing. Whatever their motives may have been, going fishing actually gave them something to do while they were waiting on Jesus. It gave them time to debrief all that had just happened. It gave them time to reflect and gain perspective on what Jesus was calling them to do together.
So, they went fishing. And if you remember, these disciples were seasoned fishermen. They knew how to fish, they knew where to fish, and most importantly, they knew when to fish. The best time to catch fish was at night, and especially just before dawn, when the fish would be rising to the surface. But then learn, they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Now, there are some who say that at the end of a long night of fishing and coming up empty, would leave these disciples pretty frustrated. So they’d not be in the best frame of mind to take some fishing advice from a bystander on the shore. But that’s exactly what happens next: Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21:4-6
I want you to note a couple of things from this early morning encounter. First, they didn’t realize that it was Jesus standing there. Perhaps the morning mist was obscuring their view, or it wasn’t quite light enough to see him clearly. But John wants us to know, they had no idea it was Jesus giving them fishing advice. Second, with the sun beginning to rise, Jesus asks them a prodding question, “You don’t have any fish, do you?” Now, if I’ve been fishing all night and come up empty, a question like that would get under my skin. It might tick me off. But the disciples, not yet knowing who’s asking, give an honest and humble answer: “No.”
Now, if this story has a familiar ring to you, you’d be correct. Because in Luke 5, Peter and the boys had been fishing all night and had come up empty as well. At that time, Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Peter answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:4-5
Here, we have the very same scenario. But this time, they don’t know it’s Jesus giving them direction. But they respond to his orders anyway. Maybe they thought it was worth a try, after all, they really did have nothing to show for a whole night’s work. But then something amazing happens: Their net is suddenly filled with such an abundant catch that it’s too heavy to haul in. And immediately John connects the dots – such an abundant catch of fish can mean only one thing: The one who just told them to throw their net to the other side must be the Lord. Only Jesus could provide such a miracle!
Now, what is it that God wants us to see from this fishing encounter with the risen Jesus? At least two things. First: This illustrates the contrast between relying on our own efforts and coming up empty, versus what Jesus can do when we rely on Him. When we trust in our efforts, we come up empty. But when we rely on Jesus, He can give us way more than we ever imagined.
What happened here is a visible reminder of what Jesus taught them in the upper room when He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
These guys needed that reminder, that apart from Jesus they could do nothing. And we need this reminder today, as well. In ministry we can rely too much on our own efforts and come up empty: We can work hard to reach our neighbors. We can borrow ideas from successful churches to grow our Church. We can even try to use marketing strategies to attract the lost. But unless Jesus helps us we can come up empty. That’s the first reality we can take away from this fish story. We can do all the right things, but without Jesus, we will come up empty.
Here’s the second takeaway: Sometimes we need to obey Jesus when it doesn’t make sense. That’s just what these disciples did. They didn’t argue with Jesus, they just did what He directed them to do. And I have to ask, what was different between this encounter and the last? And the only answer I come up with is that they had changed since this first encounter. Now they were humble and teachable. They were humble: they no longer thought they had all the answers. And they were teachable – even though they were expert fisherman, they were willing to listen.
This is a great example for us. Sometimes we think we have all the answers, that we are the experts. I know I’ve been guilty of this. But I don’t want to be, and I don’t want us to be either. And the only thing that can change us is the same things that changed these disciples – to be humble and teachable. And that means listening to Jesus – even if it doesn’t make any sense to us. For when you listen to Jesus, He will ask you to do stuff that doesn’t make sense. I mean, look at the crazy things he told people to do before He worked His miracles:
When he turned water to wine, what did he tell the servants? “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. John 2:8-9
When he healed the man who’d been lame for 38 years, what did he tell him? Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:8-9
When he gave sight to the man born blind, what did he tell him? “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam.” So, the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:7
None of those things made sense. But everyone who heard Jesus command them to do something, listened and obeyed. This may be how you and I get unstuck when it seems like we’re going nowhere in our faith. We just need to listen to Jesus and obey even when it makes no sense. And sometimes when you do, Jesus will not just help you, but he may do the impossible through you. Obey when it makes no sense.
That’s the first thing we can do to back on track with Jesus. Here’s a second thing:
Stay faithful to your work: Let’s come back to this encounter and see how this plays out, picking it up in verse 7, Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. John 21:7-8
Like I said earlier, John put things together pretty quickly. No fish all night. Throw the net to the other side. Now more fish than we can handle. Must be the Lord… John figures it out. But Peter acts on it. He immediately wraps his outer garment around him, jumps in the water and starts swimming to Jesus. The rest follow, towing the net full of fish. Then we read, When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So, Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. John 21:9-11
I love this picture. Jesus knows what we need. He knows these guys were cold, tired and hungry, and he’s got a fire going and he’s cooking breakfast. However, he needs just one more thing. He needs them to bring some of the fish they’ve just caught to add to the meal. Here’s the point Jesus is making here: Jesus supplied the catch. But the disciples still needed to do the work. They had to haul in the catch, tow it to shore and then clean some fish in order to contribute to the meal.
What Jesus is doing here is imparting dignity and encouragement to these guys who’d come up empty, who’d failed that night. He’s reminding them, that although He provided the catch, they still had a part to play. There would be no catch if they hadn’t done the work to haul it in and tow it to shore. So not only does Jesus affirm their work by saying, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” He illustrates for them that the mission He is calling them to, making disciples, is a partnership with Him.
When Jesus commissioned them saying, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” John 20:21, it was very clear to them that that Jesus’ mission would continue. For when Jesus said, “As the Father sent me,” the verb “sent” is a perfect tense, meaning, that the Father’s sending of Jesus was a permanent sending.In other words, Jesus is still making disciples today. He’s still sent by the Father to do this work, but now He’s including us in the process. We are also sent ones. And when you put that together, you realize that the Father’s strategy for redeeming the world includes both Jesus and His followers working together in partnership.
And this little campfire gathering illustrates this partnership. Jesus supplied the catch, but the disciples did the work to haul it in. This is what Jesus teaches us in the Great Commission. He says, “All authority in heavenand on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
In other words, Jesus tells us that we’re in this together. Jesus doesn’t just leave us to do this work apart from Him. It’s a partnership. We are in this together. Listen to the promise He gives: “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” So, here’s the second thing God wants us to walk away with from this encounter: Jesus always includes us in His work. He has His part to play. We have our part to play.
That’s what Jesus was teaching the disciples here. Jesus supplied the catch, but they did the work. Then Jesus asked them to contribute to the meal. And sometimes that’s all Jesus wants from you – just bring a little what you have to the table, so that God might use it. Jesus always includes us in His work of redeeming this world. We all have a part to play, we all have work to do, and sometimes that means doing something as unglamorous as cleaning fish. So, stay faithful to the work God gives you to do. You have a part to play in what He’s doing to redeem our world.
Okay, so far we’ve seen two ways to get back on track with Jesus. First, Obey when it makes no sense. Second, Stay Faithful to your work. Here now is the third way, and it’s my favorite:
Eat Breakfast with Jesus: Look at the final few verses with me: Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. John 21:12-14
This is a remarkable picture of the disciple’s relationship with Jesus. When they first realized it was the Lord, they were excited to come and be with him. But now that they have hauled in the fish, and brought some to the meal, you can see that they’re a little reluctant to join him. So, Jesus takes the initiative. He invites them: “Come and have breakfast.”
I love the simplicity of this. Jesus has a fire going. He’s prepared them a meal. Even though they were reluctant to join him, they do. And then Jesus comes to them, takes bread from the fire and gives it to them. Jesus gives His disciples both bread and fish. The very same thing He provided at the feeding of the five thousand. Why? Because He loves them. He serves them because He knows what they need. He knows they need sustenance after working all night. He knows they need grace after failing so miserably. And He knows they need assurance that He’s always there for them. It’s a beautiful picture of the practical and gracious love of Jesus for His own. The same kind of gracious love He has for you.
So, what does God want us to grasp from this final scene? I believe it’s this: Sometimes you need to come to Jesus and just let Him serve you. The truth is that far too often as Christ Followers, we lose heart or burn out because we are too busy trying to do things for Jesus. But this text reminds us that Jesus simply wants to be with us. He’s the one who came to the shore. He’s the one who provided the catch. And He’s the one who invites you to share a meal with Him – to have breakfast with Jesus.
Maybe you came here today and you never fully understood why Jesus died for you. Sure, you can be thankful that Jesus took your place on the cross, took the punishment your sins deserved, and you believe without a doubt that even took away every sin and cast them away from you as far as the east is from the west. Sure, you can be thankful today that you are forgiven and you don’t have to fear death or judgment. But that’s just part of the good news. Jesus did all this for you, so you could know Him. And Jesus did all this so He could have a relationship with you.
You see, that’s the beauty of everything Jesus initiated in this encounter. He’s the one who came to the shore in the early morning hours. He’s the one who directed his boys to throw the net to the other side. He’s the one who provided the catch. He’s the one who invited them to breakfast. And He’s the one who served them bread and fish.
Don’t miss this. Jesus did all this for his disciples so he could help them, encourage them and just be with them. And the good news is this: He wants to do for you what He did for His disciples… especially when you’re not sure what to do next, or when everything you’ve tried fails you, or when you just need to know that He loves you, even in the mundane routines of life – by inviting you to eat with Him.
So, let me ask you: What’s God want you to take away from this encounter with Jesus? Do you believe Jesus knows what you need?
Do you believe Jesus can help you? And most importantly:
Do you believe Jesus wants to be with you?
If so, then come have breakfast with Jesus. Let him help you, let him serve you, let Him feed your hungry heart. For He loves you and wants to be with you so you will know that He’s always for you. Let’s pray.
Leave a Reply