Breakfast by the Sea

Reading John 21:1-19

The gospel of John closes gracefully in chapter twenty with even doubting Thomas believing in the resurrection of Jesus. Chapter twenty concludes by saying that the purpose of Jesus’s life, teachings and miracles are recorded for all his followers who come later to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and all who believe in him will inherit eternal life (John 20:30-31). However John continues the gospel with an epilogue in chapter 21 where he lingers around the intimacy the disciples shared with Jesus after his resurrection but before his ascension. We do not know for sure how many times he meets with them for the details are not written. On the other hand we can assume that he continues to show them how deeply he loves and dearly cares for each one of them. Jesus after his resurrection instructs the disciples to go ahead to Galilee where he will come and meet them (Matthew 28:5-10,16). We believe they fellowship together praying and preparing themselves for Pentecost before they start their ministry in full swing, empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach the hearts of those to whom they present the gospel.

One evening Peter says to the disciples, “I am going fishing,” and they say, “We will come with you.” So seven of them set out to go fishing. They fish all night but catch no fish. At dawn suddenly they see a stranger calling out to them from the shore, “Lads did you catch any fish?” Weary, hungry and disappointed, they say, “Not a thing.” He tells them, “Throw your nets on the other side.” They are rewarded with a bountiful catch. John’s sharp mind realizes it is Jesus, and he tells Peter, “It is the Lord.” Peter is overjoyed and leaps out of the boat to rush over to the shore to greet his risen Lord. Jesus waiting by a charcoal fire serves them fish roast and bread. He says to them, “Come let us have some breakfast.”

We wonder why Peter and the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus at first. After an unsuccessful night of fishing they suddenly hear an unknown encouraging voice calling out for them to try again, another way. Did Jesus direct the fish to their net and perform another miracle? The voice of guidance can come from anywhere. Are we open and listening? We can clearly see a striking similarity to a flashback by the Sea of Galilee when Jesus first commissions Peter to become his disciple (Luke 5:1-11). In this testimony after a long day of preaching to the crowds from Peter’s boat Jesus says to him to, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter apparently had fished all night and come up with nothing, but when he obeys Jesus’ command he is rewarded with a bountiful catch. Peter is amazed at the turn of events in his second expedition into the sea. He realizes that Jesus performed a miracle, and he confesses to Jesus saying he is so unworthy of this success or to keep company with someone so divine. But Jesus assures him that he has great hope for him and asks him to join him in fishing for people.

Fisherfolk risk their lives every time they set out to fish in the perilous sea. Reflecting on the calling of Jesus to fish for people we wonder, “Isn’t the sea like the chaotic dark world?” The net that sweeps the sea to draw in people have to be always cleaned and kept in mint condition. The net does not show any discrimination on the kind of fish it catches. The net is like the church that can draw and hold an unlimited number of people from all nations. Jesus calls Peter to the perilous task to draw people from this dark world into the Light of the Kingdom of God.

When he washes the disciples feet before the last supper we are amazed as Jesus exemplifies the role of a leader. Jesus eats, drinks and even serves the disciples breakfast. The breakfast by the sea reveals to us the reality of the resurrection. Following breakfast in the presence of all the other disciples Jesus turns to Peter who denied him three times publicly. Jesus calls him by his first name Simon (Matthew 26:31-36) asking three times, “Simon son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” Peters response is, “ Yes Lord, you know I do.” Jesus responds by saying, “Feed my sheep.” To feed means to nourish and care for the needs of the children of God who like sheep will more often than not be very challenging.

Jesus graciously shows Peter that he is fully forgiven. We wonder what Jesus meant by “more than these.” Could it be the fishing boat and net, or the other disciples, or the fish? Isn’t it a challenge to love the Lord with all our heart, more than the things we value in our lives? Yet it is Peter’s love for Jesus that will strengthen his faith in him in the years to come. It is a beautiful crowning moment in Peter’s life to be openly restored and recommissioned, in the presence of the other disciples, by the Good Shepherd to be a loving Shepherd of his flock.

Prayer:

Dear Lord just as you forgave Peter and restored him, forgive us for the times we have denied you in thought, word and deed. Teach us through the Holy Spirit to listen to your commands to throw our nets out to fish for people just as you did with your disciples. Amen

Soli Deo Gloria