John 21 – “Breakfast On The Beach”
Big idea: Jesus believes in you!
“We believe in God – because God believes in us!”
Introduction: We all need someone to believe in us!!!
Favourite breakfast.... My friend Pete and I met at Hanks Bakery every week for 12 years (Hi Donna!)
Breakfast at home ? Fred style; eggs/bacon/home fries/avocado/toast/coffee...
The gospels show us Jesus likes feeding people...
5000 from a boys lunch
Supper with the 12 before his crucifixion (the famous “Last Supper)
We also love food... birthdays and anniversary’s call for special meals... at home or at a restaurant
Sometimes really significant conversations occur over the dinner table... or breakfast in this case.
Situation: It's After The Resurrection/before the Ascension ... The 7 Disciples decide to Go Fishing ...
As we open john 21 today we find 7 of the disciples hanging out on the beach... on the shores of Galilee.
Jesus has risen from the dead...he has appeared and then disappeared before his disciples.
He’s preparing them for his ascension and departure.
He’s planning to leave them in charge of everything.
Preaching the gospel
Building the church
Missionary travel
Making disciples.
But here on the seashore,
The crow of that infamous rooster still echoes in Peter’s mind... it's hard to shake.
...Peter denied knowing Jesus – not once, but 3 times -- and ever since Peter has been carrying around that baggage – and the baggage is very heavy .
Peter crumbled under pressure... He denied his Lord – not once but three times!
That’s some very heavy baggage
Complete humiliation
Complete shame
Ultimate regret.
It's fascinating to note that in Mark’s gospel account of the resurrection, the angels tell the women, “go, tell his disciples, and Peter.”
(special mention for Peter ... Peter isn’t forgotten or given up on!)
Now as we look into John 21, a week or two has passed – Jesus has already appeared several times... and now having seen the risen Lord, Peter it seems... is still trying to figure out where he fits in...
His default behaviour is to go fishing.
It's what he knows; he feels at home on the water.
Maybe he just needs time to think... or maybe he’s considering returning to his old career.
The upper room and Pentecost is yet in the future...
I can imagine Peter sitting beside the seashore...looking out upon Galilee – the place so familiar to him; so comfortable. ... thinking about Jesus;
thinking about his triple denial;
hating himself.
After a long silence.... Peter speaks.
“I’m going out to fish...” he says.
The others seem to waiting for Peter to say or do something...
The other 6 quickly reply; “we’ll go with you.”...
Peter has that certain something we call leadership.
But there’s no fish in the sea that night...
No fish! (all night they keep casting the nets.... and they keep coming up empty...)
it's a complete mystery for these seasoned fishermen to get skunked!
As morning breaks and the sun rises over the Galilean hills, there’s a voice....
... “have you any fish?”
“No” .... nothing... not even a few skulpins!!!
“Try the other side”! Says the voice from the shore.
Don’t you hate it when people who aren’t in your field of expertise tell you what to do and make it sound so easy?
Well, perhaps out of desperation they decide to try the other side...
Suddenly ... The Nets are filled!!! (what excitement... )
***We went cod fishing last summer in Conception Bay and Val proved to be quite the fish catcher --- she was especially proficient catching skulpins!!! ( I think there was 5 in one day...)
But bringing in the cod-fish was great fun!
*** Here’s a thought... is it possible that the one who filled their nets had also kept them empty that night!!!
...in the boat, John turns to Peter –
“ I know who that is .... it's the Lord!”
(Of course...its the Lord himself!)
***Peter is so excited... he jumps out of the boat and swims ashore***
On the beach Jesus has made a fire... on the fire there’s fish...
**Don’t you just love going down to Topsail beach for a fire and some good food... it's a place and a setting where good friendships can grow.
Jesus says the 7 - Bring some of the fish you just caught!
I can see a little twinkle in Jesus eye here ... like ... (Who really caught these fish???)
“Come and have breakfast.” Says Jesus
Notice? Jesus already had fish!!! ... he didn’t need their fish to serve breakfast!
Jesus took the bread and gave it to them
He did the same with the fish
We all know about the last supper – well I guess this is the last breakfast!
Jesus has made a fire – a charcoal fire.
The word "charcoal" is only used twice in the New Testament—here and in the story where Peter denied the Lord.
Complication: There’s An Elephant in the room/Whale On The Beach!) ...............After Breakfast Comes “The Talk.”
***So here we are once again around a charcoal fire***
A charcoal fire has a very distinct smell—very smoky, tinged with tar.
** after they finish eating...Jesus addresses Peter and the “elephant in the room”—or may I say... “the whale on the beach.”
Peter – “Do you love me - more than these”? ( fish/fishing)?
Yes, Lord! ... you know that I love you!!
1. Peter, Feed my lambs! (Young believers)
Second time ; Simon, son of John, do you love me?
Yes Lord; you know that I love you!
2. Peter, Take care of my sheep
... ***Pastoral care***
3rd time -- Simon, son of John, do you love me?
“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you!”
3. Peter, Feed my sheep. (spirit food/discipleship)
Here we have a beautiful job description of a Pastor: (Shepherd)
• Love the Lord
• Lord his people
o Feed and disciple new believers-- “feed the lambs”
o Care for the saints—encourage and pray for them – “take care of my sheep”
o Feed my sheep... so they can grow and have more sheep.
Jesus is saying...
If you love me Peter, you will care about what I care about. That's how I'll know that you love me.
Feed my lambs.
Jesus is asking us this same question today:
Do you love me more than your job?
Do you love me more than your pride?
Do you love me more than your money?
Do you love me more than pleasure?
Do you love me more than these???
notice v. 17 ? “Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him 3 x”
(How ironic)
*** Peter’s 3 denials are now replaced with 3 affirmations***
Isn’t that amazing... it's the amazing grace of Jesus.
Maybe you have also denied Jesus...
Can you forgive yourself?
Can Jesus forgive you? Absolutely yes!
Can Jesus still use you? Absolutely yes!
***Listen to me please... Jesus still believes in you!!!
He wants to use you
He wants to grow you.
We preachers are always asking people to believe in Jesus... but today I want you to hear this “Jesus believes in you—he wants to save you – he wants to use you...!
...When Jesus looked at Peter he saw the future...
Peter, a preacher;
Peter, Pillar of the church ...the pioneer...
the preacher on the day of Pentecost!
When Jesus looks at you he sees you made in his image...in need of redemption... and having a purpose!
So you’re house-bound – with this COVID -19 virus...
Jesus can still use you!
Look around and see what he sees!
Share the good news!
...You know when I was young, I didn’t find many people who believed in me.
And to make it worse, I didn’t even believe in me.
I was the quiet and reserved kid.
Most of the other kids at our church were into music and so they fit in – they had something to do at church that gave them some sense of belonging.
But I was on the outside looking in... and it felt uncomfortable.
But one day I was asked to teach a SS class.
Inside I was ready; I wanted an opportunity.
Now I was given an opportunity to teach SS – someone believed in me enough to give me a chance.
Jesus believed in Peter.
Jesus believes in you!
You know... Peter might have been labelled as bi-polar in today’s society.
He seemed to run hot and cold.
One moment he says “Jesus, you’re the messiah”
... the next moment Jesus has to tell him to get out of the way!
One time Peter sees Jesus walking on the water and he couldn’t sit down – he wanted a piece of the action.
Jesus invites him and over the side of the boat he goes!
He actually does walk on water for a minute before sinking...
Even In this story, here in John 21... he could have stayed in the boat and come ashore with the others – but no Sir... he jumps out of the boat and starts swimming (or perhaps...maybe walking on water???)
Resolution: The 2nd Calling (2nd Chance) Of Peter .... Follow Me! ... All The Way - Even To Death.
Jesus has one more thing to say to Peter – “Follow me” (v. 19)
And Peter did... in the book of Acts we see Peter giving leadership
It was Peter who preaching the Pentecost message!!!
v. 19 “follow me”.
(it sounds a lot like the first time Jesus called Peter 3 years earlier!!!)
• Jesus extends forgiveness to Peter!
• Jesus hasn’t given up on Peter!
• Jesus still believes in Peter!!!
Remember what happened 3 years earlier
Luke 5:1-11
“Lets put out into the deep water and let down the nets on the other side.”
Master we worked hard all night- nothing!
The net fills with fish!
2 boats are full of fish – and almost sink!
Peter: go away from me, lord; I am a sinful man.
Jesus: “don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people. V. 10
**** Now 3 years later, Jesus reminds Peter of his original calling!
Fish for people Peter... and (2) be a shepherd!
• Feed my lambs
• Take care of my sheep
• Feed my sheep!
Jesus believes in Peter ! Jesus believes in you!
Jesus asks Peter, do you love me ? he asks – do you love me?
Application: We all need someone to believe in us!
Henri Nouwen;
“if you know you are loved of God you can live with an enormous amount of success and an enormous amount of failure -without losing your identity – because your identity is that you are the beloved.”
The great Michael Jordan ... (basketball)
I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have taken the game winning shot -- and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that's why I succeed.
Jesus believes in you ... he believes in you so much he died for you!
