Breakfast on the Beach

John 21:1–19 ESV

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 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 as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on 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 of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out 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, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed 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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, 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 John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Illustration

Have you ever worked really hard on something…harder perhaps than you’ve ever worked in your life…

…Only to have it return entirely fruitless?

Maybe it was an entire night.

Maybe it was months, or years, or decades…

Maybe it was a job, a relationship, a hobby…

Whatever the case, there is nothing more frustrating and disheartening than putting significant effort into something only to come back empty handed.

I think we can all relate to the disciples in that way,

All night long they cast their nets.

They are experienced fishermen.

They know what they’re doing,

yet their nets remain empty.

The disappointment in today’s passage hangs as heavy as the nets themselves.

We realize through the passage, though, that even when everything feels hopeless, Jesus is there to meet the disciples.

This is not just a story of miraculous provision;

it is a vivid reminder that when guided by the right hands, what seems empty, destroyed, even impossible, can overflow with abundance.

Lesson

Jesus Appears

John 21:4–7 ESV

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on 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 of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

You might be wondering how the disciples knew this was Jesus due to the scenario.

If you’ll recall, it’s quite similar to the scenario that played out when Jesus initially called out the disciples.

Luke 5:4–8 ESV

And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Ah, see the similarity!

The interaction is with Peter who declares himself a sinful man.

It was this same sinful man who would deny Jesus at the cross.

Yet, it was also this sinful man that Jesus pursues after His resurrection.

Jesus Restores

Though Jesus pursues, there is work to do with Peter.

The relationship must be restored.

Imagine if you had to live with the shame and guilt of denying who you knew to be the Messiah, God in the flesh.

Jesus knows this, just like He knows that we can struggle when we experience guilt and shame over our failures.

So, we read…

Jesus Commissions (verses 15-17)

John 21:15–17 ESV

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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, 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 John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Friends, there can be no greater assurance of the vastness of God’s love for us than these verses.

You may have done things that seem unforgivable.

You may have failed God, family, friends, and others, but you can have this trust…

Jesus forgave Peter.

And His message to Peter was crystal clear.

How many times did Peter deny Jesus?

Three times.

How many times did Jesus ask if Peter loved him?

Three times.

The failure is reversed with forgiveness.

The failure is reversed by restoration.

Commissioning

John 21:18–19 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

You know, I think Jesus uses Peter’s call as much for us as for Peter.

Peter has denied Jesus three times, but when forgiveness is received, a calling soon follows.

“Feed my sheep,” “Follow me.”

Church tradition tells us that Peter’s hands were eventually stretched out in the same manner as Jesus’ when he was executed.

On a cross.

I’ve often wondered whether Peter saw it is a privilege to die in such a way.

To have failed so mightily, but to die knowing that despite the failure, you finished well…

Peter was not a perfect man, but after this moment he never looked back.

He gladly, willingly, and joyfully sits with his savior now knowing that his blood was spilled in the same manner as his savior’s.

Application

Friends, as followers of Christ, we are often found in our own version of that night on the Sea of Galilee, laboring in vain and catching nothing.

Our nets—be they our careers, relationships, or spiritual endeavors—seem barren.

Perhaps they have come with significant failure at some time or another.

Yet, Christ’s call to Peter reminds us that our capacity to serve depends not on our success, but on Christ choosing us for his service, his forgiveness of our failures, and our obedience to Christ’s guidance.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Brothers and sisters, Jesus restores us when we've failed, commissions us to serve him, and calls us to follow him.

There will be cost and consequence, but the result is worth far more than the loss.

Today, if you're feeling distant from God or discouraged by your failures, know that Jesus is inviting you back into fellowship with him.

If you're wondering how you can serve him, listen for his voice, commissioning you to the ministries he has chosen for you.

And if you're facing a difficult path ahead, remember that Jesus is calling you to follow him, and he will be with you every step of the way.

The story of breakfast on the beach is more than a narrative of past events; it is a continual call to action.

Christ is asking us today, as He asked Peter, "Do you love me?"

May we all cast our nets, friends.

Especially when all seems most lost and hopeless.

May we remember that Christ's presence turns our insufficiencies into abundance, as long as we are willing to listen and obey.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, As we reflect on the encounter by the Sea of Tiberias, where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, we seek a deeper understanding of His love, grace, and purpose. Open our eyes, just as You opened theirs, to recognize Jesus in our lives—in the breaking of bread, in the ordinary moments, and in the miraculous. Guide us, O God, to follow Jesus faithfully, even when we face uncertainty or doubt. Like Peter, who was restored by Your grace, help us to hear His call to feed His sheep, to care for His flock. May our lives be a testimony to the redeeming work of Christ. May we love as He loved, serve as He served, and proclaim His resurrection with boldness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.