Breakfast with the Risen Lord
Notes
Transcript
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1 Later, by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples. He made Himself known in this way:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.
5 So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered.
6 He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.
8 The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.
9 When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.
12 “Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
PRAY
Introduction: Why John 21? Why another appearance of the risen Christ?
The Structure of the Gospel of John is like any good book
It starts off with an introduction or preface, introducing the theme of the book
It goes through several chapters or episodes to tell the story and get the point across.
It closes with a conclusion- this is the point of it all, and this is why it matters. (That’s what John 20:30-31 is about)
So why do we have another chapter?
Some books, though will take things a bit further, adding onto the end of a book an “Epilogue” - additional information that is not essential to the story, but related, and things people want to know. It tells about what happened to one or more of the characters after the main story is over.
Sometimes popular novels will have an epilogue to tell you what happened after the story and satisfy that curiosity.
That’s what John does here. Chapter 21 is his epilogue, explaining some of the details of the characters that are not mentioned in other scriptures.
John tells us of an additional appearance of Jesus to His disciples following His resurrection (This week’s message)
John tells us what happened with Peter. He is tying up the loose ends of his Gospel by telling us how Peter changed from a Christ-denying coward to a Christ-exalting martyr. How was that relationship with Jesus restored and strengthened? (Next week)
Jesus Appears Again to His Disciples (v. 1-4, 14)
Jesus Appears Again to His Disciples (v. 1-4, 14)
VERSE 1
Jesus Appears (Reveals Himself) for the Third Time (v. 1, 14)
1 Later, by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples. He made Himself known in this way:
Sea of Tiberias = Sea of Galilee (see John 6:1)
VERSE 14
14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
When John reports this as Jesus’s third appearance, he probably means that this was the third time that he (John) saw Jesus after his resurrection. We know that Jesus had appeared twice to his apostles in John 20:19, 26.
But Jesus had also first appeared to Mary Magdalene and other women and to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. So this is at least the 5th time overall that Jesus has appeared to people after his resurrection.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus appeared to over 500 people at the same time (we don’t know who they were or when this occurred) and this was well known enough that it was apparently part of an early church creed (when they confessed the gospel truths, his appearances were part of that)
VERSE 2
Simon Peter mentioned first in v. 2 - because he’s the chief of the apostles and because the chapter focuses on his relationship with Jesus . Which other disciples were present?
2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
7 total disciples, five named, two unnamed.
VERSE 3
Where were they? Why were they there?
3 Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.
At the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee)
Why did they go fishing?
Some have suggested that Peter and the other disciples were abandoning their call as disciples of Christ and going back to their old life as fishermen. D.A. Carson says,
The Gospel according to John A. Jesus Appears to His Disciples by the Sea (21:1–14)
There is no evidence that Peter and the others had gone to Galilee in order to fish. The most reasonable assumption is that they went in obedience to the Lord’s command (Mk. 14:28; 16:7 par.).
(Matthew 28:7, 10. Mark 16:7. Each report Jesus’s command for His disciples to meet him in Galilee)
7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ”
They probably went fishing because they enjoyed fishing, or perhaps they just needed something to do or they needed food to eat. Jesus had never told Peter or his other disciples that fishing for me excludes fishing for fish. Is it wrong for us to fish today? Then I doubt it was wrong for them. Their response to Jesus in this chapter is not that of those who have chosen to abandon Him and His calling on their lives.
3 Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.
They caught nothing - Catching nothing was not an uncommon experience. This story has a bit of overlap with Luke 5 when Jesus first called his disciples.
Verse 4
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.
“Early in the morning” - same word as ch. 20
The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus, perhaps because it was dark, maybe their eyes were veiled for a moment (Luke 24:16), or maybe it was common for people on the shore to talk to fishermen.
Jesus Provides for His Disciples (v. 5-11)
Jesus Provides for His Disciples (v. 5-11)
see also Luke 5:4-11.
VERSES 5-6:
5 So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” “No,” they answered.
6 He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
“Children” = hey guys
Jesus told them to switch to the right side; why did they listen and follow his instructions? They didn’t yet know it was him,
The Gospel according to John A. Jesus Appears to His Disciples by the Sea (21:1–14)
it is hard to see how Jesus’ exhortation to throw the net on the starboard side greatly differs from advice contemporary sports fishermen have to endure (and occasionally appreciate): ‘Try casting over there. You often catch them over there!’ (If there are some contemporary sports fishermen who have not yet experienced this delight, I recommend they take my children with them on their next trip.)
6 He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
These strong fishermen were unable to haul in their catch because there were so many fish.
Perhaps a miracle? Or maybe just a display of Jesus’s supernatural knowledge, knowing where the fish were, and keeping the net from breaking.
Maybe just as God told the fish where to be to swallow Jonah, Jesus now tells these fish where to be for breakfast. The one who can tell the wind and waves to cease can tell fish where to be.
VERSE 7
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.
the disciple whom Jesus loved - this passage strengthens the argument that this refers to John, the son of Zebedee. This is clearly one of the 7 mentioned in v. 2. It seems likely that it was one of Jesus’s inner circle of 3 (Peter, James, and John); we know it’s not Peter (because he talks to Peter); and it’s not likely James, since he was the first apostle martyred (Acts 12). John is the most likely candidate.
said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord… How did Peter feel about seeing Jesus again? Was he still ashamed of having denied his Lord? Clearly he is eager to see Jesus and be close to Him. But it says,
he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) - the Greek implies he was wearing next to nothing while fishing, but as soon as he hears it’s Jesus he throws on his clothes before jumping in the water. Anything seem wrong with this picture? Usually people don’t put on clothing right before jumping into water. Usually it’s the opposite. Why did he put his clothes on?
I wonder if John is indicating to us the ongoing shame that Peter feels from denying Jesus. Though he is clearly eager to see Jesus in some sense, he also senses the need to “cover up” before coming to Him. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover up after their sin in the Garden of Eden, Peter feels like he has something to hide. Jesus is going to expose his shame and deal with it in the next section.
jumped into the sea - Thankfully Peter’s response was better than Adam and Eve’s because although there was some hidden shame that needed to be dealt with, he was moving in the right direction, and quickly. Literally the Greek says that he “threw himself” into the sea. He couldn’t wait to be close to Jesus, even though he felt the need to cover up a little.
Do you ever feel like that? You love Jesus, you want to be close to Him, but you feel like you need to hide your sin and shame? It’s hard for you to be honest about your ongoing struggles with sin and the guilt and shame that brings. Sometimes we feel like we need to clean ourselves up before coming to Jesus, or we struggle to be open and honest with Him.
Regardless of our feelings, moving toward him is what we need, and that’s what Peter did here.
VERSES 8-9
8 The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.
9 When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
One detail in these verse especially sticks out, and that’s the “charcoal fire” in v. 9.
The only other place John uses this word in in ch. 18.
18 Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself.
In John 18, the charcoal fire was the place where Peter sat while he denied Jesus three times. Following his final denial, another Gospel tells us that he looked up and saw Jesus looking at him, and he went out and wept bitterly.
In John 21, the charcoal fire is the place where Jesus restores Peter, asking him three times about his love for Jesus (next week’s sermon).
The very setting of his worst failure becomes the place where he experiences an even greater grace.
9 When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.
Another important detail in v. 9 is that Jesus already had breakfast ready for them. They must have been exhausted after fishing all night, and Jesus had a meal already prepared for them when they arrived. Isn’t it just like Jesus to provide everything we need?
VERSES 10-11
10 Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.
Look what Peter does - all by himself (apparently) he goes and grabs this huge catch of fish and brings it to shore. How strong was this guy?!
Full of large fish, 153 - what significance is there in the number of fish? Some have suggested that this number is symbolic somehow or another or has a deeper meaning. But if there is, John hid it really well. He’s an eyewitness, reporting this precise detail, perhaps because he himself helped count the fish (perhaps to sell?)
Jesus Serves His Disciples (v. 12-13)
Jesus Serves His Disciples (v. 12-13)
VERSES 12-13
12 “Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.
Jesus Serves because He is a Servant-King - That’s just who He is!
just as He washed their feet (John 13:12-15)
just as He taught them (Mark 10:42-45)
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
just as He served 5000 (John 21:13; 6:11)
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
just as He promises to do in eternity (Luke 12:35-38)
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.
Jesus Serves Them Despite Their Doubts (John 21:12)
He didn’t wait for them to get it figured out or have perfect faith.
12 “Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord.
John seems to imply that some of them still had doubts and wanted to ask him if it really was Him. Even on this third occasion of seeing Him they were still having trouble believing that it was really Him.
Jesus accommodates their weakness by appearing to them multiple times to prove that it’s really Him.
Jesus Desires Fellowship with His Followers (21:12, “Come, have breakfast”) - it’s more than just breakfast.
Just as we often schedule coffee or meals with people to enjoy time together, it wasn’t really about the meal, but about spending time together in close fellowship.
-and He takes initiative to restore Peter in 21:15-25
Application
Jesus is really alive. He proved it to His disciples by appearing many times, and He has recorded it for us in His Word. His Spirit testifies that it is true.
Don’t feel like you have to cover up or clean yourself up before you come to Jesus. Just come to Him and He’ll clean you up. He’ll take care of your sin, guilt, and shame better than you ever could. Run to Jesus.
For Further Study and Application
Why did Jesus appear to the disciples so many times? What does this tell us about Him? What does it tell us about human nature?
Can you think of a time when you felt ashamed or guilty over some sin? Perhaps you even denied Him in some way by your words or actions like Peter. Was it hard to approach Jesus after that? How should you respond?
What evidence is there in this Gospel that John is the beloved disciple? Are there any other likely candidates?
What characteristics or attributes of Jesus are clear in this passage? How have you seen Him show these same attributes in your life or circumstances?