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Breakfast on the Beach
John 21:1-14 Christian Standard Bible
After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together. “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. “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. The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together. “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. “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. The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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Breakfast on the beach with Jesus has always been a perfect combo, and for many years, as we worked among fishermen around the coast, there was often the opportunity to do just that, take time before the business of the day to be with Jesus on the shore.
I love reading this story and imagine myself as one of the disciples, I can hear the crackle of the fire, the waves lapping at the shore, the smell of salty air combined with the wood burning, fish cooking and fresh bread. |
I can see Jesus, as always ready to greet us with a warm welcome, as we pull in the net full of fish– having just witnessed this miracle catch and what a catch!! As Jesus stands on the shore He offers the disciples an opportunity to be fulfilled in their task of fishing—can you imagine their frustration and disappointment of no catch after a long night?
Jesus knows those emotions and offers another direction to fish, to try letting the nets down on the other side . During these days, we undoubtedly will have experienced emotions of disappointment and frustrations as our normal life has been interrupted in one degree or another, maybe limiting the opportunities we normally have to share with others.
Jesus knows us full well, allow Him to meet us in these and other emotions, and be open to His direction as we find new ways of being salt and light in our communities as many of you are, through keeping in touch with others, Texting, Phoning, using What’s App & maybe Zooming, we can still “fish on the other side of the boat” for those who are lonely and isolated , shopping for neighbours, doing what we can where we can, casting our nets on the side that we haven't before.
We leave the outcome to God as He invites us to be bring our gifts and play our part in building His kingdom The phrase often used in these days is ‘we’re all this together’, each of us making a difference to the whole. Together, as God’s people, we can all make a difference just where we are, shining our lights in the darkness of these present circumstances.
Jesus want us to look after ourselves by taking time out to physically and spiritual look after ourselves.
By spending time with Him, the bread of life, being in His presence and feeding from His word, we can better serve a hurting world
As we meet with the Risen Lord today, may we be encouraged that He knows us full well ,knows how we feels and meets with us, maybe take some time to give those emotions to Him and allow Him to bring healing and peace.
As you think about the new ways you are serving others, being the light where you are, ask Him to bless and use it for the Kingdom.
And just take time to be ...to be still in His presence
Jesus knows those emotions and offers another direction to fish, to try letting the nets down on the other side . During these days, we undoubtedly will have experienced emotions of disappointment and frustrations as our normal life has been interrupted in one degree or another, maybe limiting the opportunities we normally have to share with others.
Jesus knows us full well, allow Him to meet us in these and other emotions, and be open to His direction as we find new ways of being salt and light in our communities as many of you are, through keeping in touch with others, Texting, Phoning, using What’s App & maybe Zooming, we can still “fish on the other side of the boat” for those who are lonely and isolated , shopping for neighbours, doing what we can where we can, casting our nets on the side that we haven't before.
We leave the outcome to God as He invites us to be bring our gifts and play our part in building His kingdom The phrase often used in these days is ‘we’re all this together’, each of us making a difference to the whole. Together, as God’s people, we can all make a difference just where we are, shining our lights in the darkness of these present circumstances.
Jesus want us to look after ourselves by taking time out to physically and spiritual look after ourselves.
By spending time with Him, the bread of life, being in His presence and feeding from His word, we can better serve a hurting world
As we meet with the Risen Lord today, may we be encouraged that He knows us full well ,knows how we feels and meets with us, maybe take some time to give those emotions to Him and allow Him to bring healing and peace.
As you think about the new ways you are serving others, being the light where you are, ask Him to bless and use it for the Kingdom.
And just take time to be ...to be still in His presence
Note: This series of 'Pause for Thought' started on Monday 4th May. To find these previous thoughts go to the Archive section of the website listed under the 'more.....' tab at the top of the page. On the 'Daily Pause for Thought' section of the website we will only keep 2 weeks of contributions before putting them into the Archive.
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