Breakfast On The Beach

I. Old Habits – Verses 1 - 4

The disciples have once again found themselves in their old haunts. They left Jerusalem head back to their home town of Galilee. The feast of unleavened bread was over and they would not return to Jerusalem for a few weeks when they would be there for the feast of Pentecost.

Peter went back to doing what he knew and what he thought he was good at Verse 3a, this was his comfort blanket, the old life was more inviting.

When things don’t go our way as Christians we may think that our old life would be easier. Maybe a drink will solve the problem, maybe a swearing fit will make me feel better. Maybe if we go back to the life we had before we wouldn’t have the problems we have as Christians.

The old life is inviting – it wants us back. Peter was comfortable in this environment again, remember that the Lord had called him out of this lifestyle in Mark 1:16-18 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. [17] And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. [18] And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.,

The Lord has called us out of our old lifestyles – 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [living]; 2 Cor 5:17 – New creature Old things past away

Here is the problem Verse 3b. When Peter went fishing he took 6 people with him. When we slip or backslide we may take people with us. Look at the disciples that went with him. Who were the other two??? Maybe they are you and me.

Maybe Peter thought about going into the fishing business full time again, he was skilled at this, he knew what he was doing. But, he caught nothing. No amount of skill could coax the fish into his net. No amount of experience could catch those fish – The Lord was not leading Peter into the fishing business.

Verse 4

Jesus knew exactly where His disciples were, and what they were doing. He knew what was going through Peter’s mind that he was toying with the idea of returning to the world and that Peter would take people with him.

He has come for His disciples because He did not save them and call them so that they could return to their old life and be fishermen again. He has a better plan for their lives

The same is true in your life and mine! When we really belong to the Lord and wander off the path He has assigned us, we will not go away from Him forever!

He allowed them to have a miserable night, He made sure that the fish stayed away and that their night would be a disappointing one.

I know of several people who are not where they should be with the Lord and they are miserable and disappointed.

II. The Same Jesus – Verses 5 - 14

A. His Presence (Verses 5 – 8)

Day is breaking, the disciples are pulling towards the shore and there is the Lord standing on the beach, look at the conversation that takes place in Verse 5

Jesus calls them “Children” the Greek is Paidon and means a child or an immature Christian, it is from the word pais which means servant especially a minister of a king.

After His resurrection, our Lord was sometimes not recognised.

He was not recognised on the Road to Emmaus Luke 24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

He was not recognised by the tomb. John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

He was not recognised by the Sea. The disciples did not recognise the Lord and simply answer His question with a defeated “No”.

Verse 6

The Lord knew where the fish were. They had confessed their failure and it was time for Jesus to take over the situation. He told them where to cast the net; they obeyed, and they caught a multitude of fish

Note the number of the fish, v. 11. He gave them an over abundance. There will be times when God will bless you in abundance, Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.