“A Journey with John” Day 31: Breakfast with Jesus (John 21:1-25)

Last time, the disciples discovered that Jesus has risen from the dead. Indeed, Jesus has appeared to them twice. Jesus has sent them forth as He was sent forth and also breathed on them that they will receive the Holy Spirit.

Before setting out on our last day with our guide, let’s look at to whom we were introduced last time.

> Mary Magdalene - Mary is the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. She was sent to tell the other disciples that He was alive.

> Two angels, dressed in white - seen by Mary when she peeked into the tomb

Now, let’s catch up with our guide to see firsthand, this breakfast with Jesus!

As we enter the scene, we see that Peter decides to go fishing in the Sea of Tiberius, with some of the other disciples joining him. They try to catch fish all night long and have caught nothing. When morning comes, Jesus is standing on the shore, and calling out to them, asking if they have any food. They explain that they have caught nothing. Jesus then instructs them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and they would catch fish. Having done so, the disciples bring in a huge number of fish. At this, the disciple Jesus loved (our guide), recognizes that it is the Lord speaking to them. When Peter hears this, he immediately jumps into the sea, to make it back to the shore. When they all arrive on the shore, they find that Jesus has prepared fish and bread for them. As well, they are able to get the 153 fish they caught, to the shore without breaking the nets. Having reached the shore, Jesus invites them to have the breakfast He has cooked. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Three times, Peter answers in the affirmative, with Jesus instructing Peter to feed His sheep. Jesus then speaks to Peter concerning the type of death he would die, bringing glory to God. Peter asks Jesus what will happen to the disciple Jesus loves. Jesus answers that if He wants this disciple to live until He returns, it’s not really Peter’s business. Because of this statement, the rumor was birthed that John would not see death before Jesus returned. But, as John the beloved (who has also been our guide) tells us, that is not what Jesus actually said. Our guide, then explains that if all the works that Jesus performed were written in a book, the world would not be able to contain it.

Our highlighted verses for today:

“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬, ‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭10‬, ‭12‬, ‭14‬-‭17‬, ‭20‬-‭22‬, ‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question for reflection:

Why did Jesus ask Peter three times if Peter loved Him?

With today, we have reached the end of this journey with our guide, John the beloved. When we began our journey, we stated our goal as being to jumpstart a deeper walk with our Lord in this Lenten Season. We pray that this has done so for you. If, in our time together on this journey, you have not personally read the Gospel of John, we encourage you to do so. May the Lord continue to deepen your understanding of the work of God in Jesus Christ, our soon returning Savior, and Risen Lord.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!