Jesus, the God-man: Gospel of John
“Breakfast with Jesus”
John 21:1-14
Introduction: I have been invited to have breakfast with some important people in the past. My daughters and I had breakfast with Senator George Allen several years ago and I had the chance to have breakfast with some Disney characters last time I went to Disney World. Since I am not really a morning person, breakfast meetings usually are not that exciting for me.
There is one however that I do not think I would have skipped and that is the one found in our text today. Jesus invites His disciples to eat breakfast with Him not long before He would return to heaven. It would prove to be an important time for them to remember to what He had called them and what that would mean to their futures.
It would behoove each one of us to pay attention as well since these events still have repercussions for us today. We can learn much from this “breakfast with Jesus”.
1. Obedience brings blessing. (vv. 1-6)
It would seem like John concluded the book at the end of chapter 20 but he is inspired to tell of one more meeting.
Sea of Tiberias which is the Sea of Galilee, but at the time of the writing the name had been changed by the Romans.
Jesus had told them to go to Galilee and wait for Him there at a mountain.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”… Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. Matthew 28:10, 16
Seven disciples are hanging out together waiting, but then Peter says, “I’m going fishing.”
Sometimes we fall back on what we want or what is comfortable rather than waiting on God. Is fishing wrong? It is if Jesus told them to wait on the mountain.
“We are going too!” – Peter’s impatience leads others to stumble. Disobedience loves company. You feel less guilty.
We like to surround ourselves with people who are on about the same level as we are. If we are right with God, we want to be around others who are right with God. If we are out of God’s will, we feel rebuked by the lives of those who are living for the Lord and seek out those who are like we are. Sadly, we will often try to reproduce our spiritual temperature in the lives of those who are close to us. This is merely an effort to make self more comfortable. --Alan Carr, Pastor, Calvary Baptist, Lenoir, NC
Got in the boat and did not catch anything all night. Herein is the problem. Jesus did not call them to catch fish anymore; He called them to catch men! Failure makes it obvious.
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Matthew 4:18-20
v. 4 – Jesus comes along the shore, but they do not recognize Him. Shouldn’t they have been expecting Him?
How many times has Jesus passed by and you missed recognizing Him because you were doing your own thing and not waiting on Him?
“Children” – “Hey boys! Or Hey guys! Caught anything?”
“NO!” – He is waiting for them to admit their need. “I have failed.”
v. 6 – “Try the other side and you will!” Here is a command coupled with a promise.
They do and they pull in so many fish that they can’t pull the net into the boat.
What a striking line is this picture of Christian service. How He tells the servants that success in their ministry is due not to their eloquence, their power of persuasion, or their anything, but due alone to His sovereign drawing-power. –Arthur Pink (1886-1952), Exposition of John
This has happened to them before in Luke 5:1-11.
and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Luke 5:10
It’s a reminder to them of who suggested it before – Jesus!
This symbolizes what He is about to do in using them to fish for men! Remember Pentecost??
This is Jesus’ final miracle and like His first, it is also performed at Galilee.
Upon the completion of it, the realization of who is on the shore sets in.
2. Follow Jesus without hesitation. (vv. 7-8)
John is the first to realize that it is Jesus and says to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Peter puts on his coat and jumps into the water and wades to shore.
Both respond immediately in their own way and according to their personality. John has great spiritual discernment and comes to a swift realization like at the tomb and Peter, ever impulsive, jumps in the water!
The Church of Christ needs servants of all kinds, and instruments of every sort; pen-knives as well as swords, axes as well as hammers, chisels as well as saws, Marthas as well as Marys, Peters as well as Johns. –J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), Expository Thoughts on John
v. 8 – Comical – they are not that far from land (only about 100 yards)! Peter jumps in and wades to shore while the disciples follow in the boat. This hearkens back to a previous encounter.
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Matthew 14:28
Peter did not hesitate to follow Jesus this time. Last time in John 18 he followed at a distance and denied, but this time he is literally all in!
When you see Jesus, swiftly join Him in what He is doing! Work alongside Him.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9
3. Jesus invites us into relationship. (vv. 9-14)
Jesus had already made the preparation for relationship and an important conversation He needed to have with Peter.
Let’s look at what was prepared: “fire of coals” – This is not something you find lying around like wood. He is intentional about this. Relationships involve intentionality. It requires work.
Jesus got His hands dirty on their behalf. Will you?
I also wonder if Peter is not experiencing a bit of déjà vu here. Remember the last time he was near a coal fire?
Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. John 18:18
It was at a coal fire that he denied Jesus the third and final time and now it is at another coal fire that the relationship will be repaired.
“fish and bread” – Not only is a fire provided for warmth, but He also provides food. There is fish and toast awaiting them. That for which they had toiled all night long, Jesus had already prepared! He supplied what they needed and lacked.
For what are you striving, struggling, and toiling? Perhaps if you would wait on God, He will provide it.
v. 10 – “Bring what you have.” He invites them to share in this meal and relationship. He prepares and presents it, but invites them to participate.
He invites us as well. Bring what you have so He can use it for His glory as you share in the relationship!
v. 11 – Peter then goes and drags in the net full of fish. He was beast! They count the fish and there are 153 and miraculously the net did not break or tear.
Personality of John comes through here. As a fisherman, the count was important. Some through the ages have tried to find symbolism in the number, but sometimes a number is just a number. Have to know how to divide the profits.
v. 12 – “Come and eat.” What a great word! Jesus invites them to fellowship with Him even as He does at the close of human history. “Come” – There is invitation! He does the same for us.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
vv. 13 -14 – Jesus serves them breakfast as the host and John reminds us that this is the third time He has appeared to some portion of the disciples as a group. It is also a great reminder that He is real and not a ghost or hallucination.
Conclusion: Saint, no matter how far you’ve drifted, Jesus is always there on the shore, waiting for you to return. Waiting with a comforting fire, warm food, and an affirming arm to put around your shoulder! – Ken Gire, Intimate Moments with the Savior
Will you obey?
Will you follow?
Will you accept Jesus’ invitation?
John reminds us that Jesus came to establish relationship and that is to what He invites as well as we conclude today at “breakfast with Jesus”.
