Day 44 :: Breakfast
The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.
John 21:7-9(1-12)
For some reason when I read of Peter plunging into the sea in John 21:7, my mind goes to Forrest Gump jumping off his boat while it is still sailing, when he sees Lieutenant Dan waiting for him on the pier. Just as Forrest swims over to meet Lieutenant Dan while Forrest’s boat comes plowing through the boat docks so Peter swims to meet Jesus while the others are left to drag in the net full of fish. Forrest was certainly excited to see Lieutenant Dan but I got a feeling Peter was way more excited to see Jesus.
John 21:1-12 is strikingly similar to Luke 5:1-11. In both John 21 and Luke 5, Peter and some others had been out fishing all night but had not caught any fish. In John 21 and Luke 5 Jesus tells them to give it another go and in both instances, they catch a boat load of fish (pun intended). Luke 5 is when Peter first began to follow Jesus and now in John 21 Jesus is reminding Peter to continue to follow Him. This is an interesting bit in John 21:1-12. What are some things we are meant to learn from God’s Word here? Here’s at least 4:
1) It seems that Jesus is reminding them of their mission that started when they first began following Him. Back in Luke 5:10b-11: “Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.” Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.”” Here in John 21 they returned to their former work of fishing for fish but Jesus comes to them in a similar way as Luke 5 to remind them their mission hasn’t changed, they are to be following Jesus and catching people.
2) In both Luke 5 and John 21 they fished a full night with not a fish to show for it, but Jesus comes along, gives simple instruction to give it another go and boom! Boat loads of fish. They caught nothing on their own but caught boat loads with Jesus. It would be the same as they followed Jesus day by day, and it is the same for you and I today, Christian. All their labours would amount to nothing in their own strength. Just think of how they all scattered the night Jesus was betrayed and how Peter denied Jesus 3 times in that 1 night. Yet we see how Jesus worked through these men to accomplish tons for His kingdom.
3) In both Luke 5 and John 21 they only caught fish because of trusting and obeying Jesus. The fish were given to them, but they joined in the work by casting their nets and hauling in the fish. Jesus has died for the sins of His followers, Jesus has risen from the grave, and Jesus will save the lost. Every soul saved is a result of His work and yet, we, as followers of Jesus, get to join in the work. There is work to be done! Let us trust and obey Jesus and labour for the souls Jesus has saved / will save!
4) Jesus didn’t need their fish for breakfast, He was already sorted. On top of that, what they brought was what they caught because of Jesus — there was no room for boasting in anyone’s work but Jesus’ work.
A person can almost sense their delight to be with Jesus as He invited them to come and have breakfast. What a joy that must have been! What a joy it is to know Jesus!
Passages to read: John 21:1-12, Luke 5:1-11
A thought to remember: Jesus reminds Peter, and us, to continue following him and catching people.
A question to ask: In what ways are we being distracted from following Jesus?
A song to sing: Chris Tomlin — I will follow