Breakfast on the beach
Introduction
Remember when Jesus was on trial, how Peter swore with curses that he did not know him? He did it three times. Then the rooster crowed, and Peter went out and wept bitterly. He was a broken man. He thought it was all too late. His beloved Jesus was going to die, and he had said he didn’t even know him. Then came Jesus’ death on the cross. Now there was no chance to put things right.
Then on the Sunday morning something wonderful happens. The women bring the news that Jesus is alive again. And even though some of the disciples find this hard to believe, Peter immediately jumps up and runs straight to the tomb. He goes in and sees that Jesus is not there. Could Jesus really be alive? What would he say to Peter?
Reflect
- This event takes place after the death of Jesus. What do we learn about Jesus from verse 1?
- Read Luke 5:1-11. This event occurred three years earlier, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. What similarities can you see with what happens in John 21:6?
When Jesus first called Peter, James and John they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. Yet when they let down their nets at Jesus’ command they miraculously caught a huge number of fish. On that occasion Peter had fallen on his knees before Jesus, realising that he, Peter, was a sinful man. Jesus then called these fishermen to follow him. So they left their nets and followed him. Now the same thing seems to be happening again!
Reflect
- What does Peter do when he learns it is Jesus on the beach? What does this tell us about Peter?
- Jesus gives the disciples a breakfast of bread and fish. What does this tell us about the risen Lord Jesus?
This is now the third time that Jesus has appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. And he is once again showing his gracious heart to his disciples – serving them breakfast on the beach. Despite the fact that they had all deserted him when he was on trial, Jesus now eats fish and bread with these seven disciples, giving us a beautiful picture of restored fellowship and intimate friendship.
Reflect
- What question does Jesus now ask Peter? How many times does he ask it? Why is this significant?
- What response does Jesus give when Peter declares his love for Jesus (vs 15, 16 and 17)?
- What is Jesus telling Peter about his future in verses 18-19?
- How does his final command in verse 19 tie in with Luke 5:11?
Peter had boasted at the Last Supper that even if all the other disciples deserted Jesus, he alone would remain faithful. Yet Peter failed miserably. So now, in a great act of mercy and grace, with the other disciples close by, the risen Lord Jesus lovingly restores Peter and commissions him to ‘feed his sheep’. And then he reminds Peter, that no matter what suffering he will face in the future, he must continue to follow him! (It is believed that Peter was crucified upside-down during the Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians around 64 AD.)
The loving heart of Jesus is so evident as he breakfasts with his disciples on the beach. This is the same loving Lord Jesus who reaches out to us, forgiving and restoring us when we fail him. Let’s spend time thanking him for his love and grace; and let’s listen to and obey his command to follow him!
Let’s sing of the risen Lord Jesus and the hope he brings
Jerusalem (CityAlight); It was Finished upon that Cross (Cityalight); Christ our Hope in Life and Death (Getty, Papa); Christ Arose (The N Crew); Living Hope (Wickham); Amazing Grace (Newton, Lifein3D).