John 21:1-19
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection
This passage always makes me want to have some fish and bread for breakfast. It seems that Jesus is always feeding me in some way. Here Jesus is ready on the shore with some fish on the fire to feed his disciples.
Jesus' disciples appear to be in one of those states of mind that only a fishing trip could alleviate. If it were me and I liked to fish I could hear myself saying, "Ah, to hell with it guys, let's go fishing. Maybe that will get our minds off of it all." The disciples go back to what they are most familiar with. The days of following Jesus appear to be gone. The disciples lack any kind of direction or purpose in life now. They don't know what to do with themselves.
So, the disciples go fishing for the night. It appears that they have lost their touch at the craft they know the best because they don't catch any fish. A guy from the shore is making a breakfast of fish and bread calls out to cast the net on the other side of the boat. The disciples do it and catch a net full of fish. Peter recognizes Jesus and swims to Jesus.
It strikes me that Jesus was already preparing to feed the disciples. Jesus feeds me in so many ways. In the Lord's Prayer we pray "Give us today our daily bread." God gives us all we need to live this life. All we need, not just food, but all we need. In this passage Jesus is giving so much more that just some fish and bread. Jesus shows Peter love and forgiveness and acceptance. Jesus takes us in and forgives our sins and feeds us some fish, his own life and his own Spirit. We are given family, friends, income, clothing, housing, food, Scripture, laughter and so much more. We are blessed continually throughout the day with Daily Bread. Yet we seem to concentrate, not on our blessings, but on what we don't have.
How much happier I would be and you would be as well, if we just forgot about what we don't have and rejoiced and named minute by minute what blessings we do have. What a change in attitude and a change in life we would experience. Might it be possible that we too could experience the wonderful joy of a small breakfast on the shore with a few fish and some Bread and conversation that leads us to eternal life with Jesus, our Lord and Savior?
This passage always makes me want to have some fish and bread for breakfast.
Prayer
Father, today I will turn to you and acknowledge your blessings and all you give to me. Today I look forward to being fed some fish and some of your heavenly Bread. Today and in this moment I give you all glory, honor and praise... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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