Breakfast at the Beach

There is confusion on resurrection morning; Jesus kept making personal appearances…one of which was to Peter. We actually don’t know the details…Scripture just records that it had happened. He had appeared to the 11 together. Sent word through Mary that they should go to Galilee. Now this: John 21:1-3a

John 21:1–3a CSB

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together. “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

What we will see this morning is a Breakfast at the Beach. Jesus is going to spend powerful moments with the disciples, but most especially with Peter. You never know when the Lord is going to meet you or what His purpose may be when He does. It may be that you are here this morning and before it is over, He will rock your world. And it may be that you don’t believe that at all because of where you are right this minute. Let's see what He does with Peter.

First, notice:

1. God rarely blesses disillusionment.

Peter is disillusioned! Not by Jesus, but by himself. It is a terrible moment when you face your own personal weakness. Peter has always followed Jesus, but most of the time he followed relying on the power of Peter. Bold assertion: all these other boys may fall away, but Lord, you can depend on me…to follow you all the way to death, if it takes it.

How did he perform? Mark 14:54, 66–72

Mark 14:54

Mark 14:54 CSB

Peter followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants, warming himself by the fire.

Mark 14:66–72 CSB

While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed. When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.” Then he started to curse and swear, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Human strength only gets you so far: human strength is compromised strength. Learning this important lesson is part of what it means to be human. And this is it: we are all sinners, compromised by our own weaknesses. Some go a long way in their own strength…but put to the test: we aren’t true even to our own moral code. Peter has failed.

Luke 22:61.

Luke 22:61 CSB

Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

Do you think you could ever forget that look?

Haunts Peter. Even when Jesus has risen, his own failure is right there in front of him.

I can’t do this: I’m going back to what I know I’m good at I’m going fishing.

Problem: John 21:3b

John 21:3b (CSB)

“I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Nothing!

Life is wrapped up in grace. God blesses people who hate him. Last night: happy parties, good times, babies born, money made…by people who don’t love God.

Sometimes those who are running from God just don’t understand it. They are just as talented, just as smart, just as professionally good as the next but they just can’t seem to get ahead. God doesn’t have to bless.

John 21:5-6

John 21:5–6 CSB

“Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish.

Fished all night; professionals; the guy on the beach says…hey, fish are on the other side. Crazy, right. Ever been around fishermen? Tell ‘em about a hot spot and they’re gonna believe it until they find out it isn’t true. Here: the right side of the boat, the side of the boat directed by the Lord, is hottest spot you can imagine.

2. Things always change when Jesus shows up.

This has happened before. Three years before back before their call. Doesn’t escape John. He knows in a moment, Jesus has just come on the scene. Peter is too busy with the fish…until John 21:7a

John 21:7a (CSB)

The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

Go on.. John 21:7b-8.

John 21:7b–8 (CSB)

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.

No walking on the water…but he’s not going to stay with the fish. He heads in.

He doesn’t know what is going on, but here’s what he sees: John 21:9

John 21:9 CSB

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.

Jesus needs to remind Peter about what has just happened: John 21:10-11

John 21:10–11 CSB

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

You fished without me, Peter. Nothing, buddy. You fished by my instruction, Peter. 153..big ones. Implication, don’t you. Why are you trying to do anything without me? You’re not even good at what you’re good at, unless I choose to bless you!

Next: invites them to breakfast. John 21:12-13

John 21:12–13 CSB

“Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.

Listen: in the time that He has been risen, he has shown up once while they were eating…and ate something for them to prove that He was real. But the last time He invited them to eat with Him he took bread and he took wine and he gave them the true meaning of Passover and the remembrance for the church.

This breakfast, however is a quiet meal. Time to learn a new lesson.

3. When you walk with the Lord, direction to life belongs to Him.

Jesus has always had plans for Peter. Demonstrated them by His call: follow me, and I’ll make you a fisherman but for men not for fish.

Look at his questions after breakfast. John 21:15-17

John 21:15–17 CSB

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.

Full sermon in this passage. Just a couple of points.

To clean out our sin, Jesus has to confront it all…not just a part. A good surgeon is going to remove everything that is potentially deadly if he can. Peter had egotistically, in front of all the others, affirmed his individual strength to follow Jesus into death. Jesus has to confront this in front of the others. Jesus has to confront the denials. How many of those were there? So you understand why he was grieved that Jesus asked three times.

Also an interplay of language here. Not certain that it has this meaning, but God, the Holy Spirit, inspired the book in the Greek language with the Greek overtones clearly in place.

Jesus asks Peter: do you love me like God loves?

Peter answers Lord, you know I love you with all the human capability that I have…I love you like a brother.

2nd time. Jesus asks Peter: do you love me like God loves?

Peter answers Lord, you know I love you with all the human capability that I have…I love you like a brother.

3rd time. Do you even love me like a brother?

Wise answer: Lord, I don’t even really know my heart…but you can read it. You know that I love you, at least like a brother…even when I fail you.

Jesus three-time reply: If you love me, I’m in charge. Get off the lake and get back to work! Your real work as a shepherd of men.

But Peter: you need to know the consequences of this decision. John 21:18-19

John 21:18–19 CSB

“Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

OK. So here’s the deal Peter. You told me that you love me and that you would die with me. You didn’t. We both know what happened. Now, you’ve told me that you love me. Peter, you didn’t die with me, but you ARE going to die for me…and the death is going to be what you ran from: you will be crucified. But Peter, you see before you what happens when God is in charge: Peter. Follow me!

4. We are all equal before the Lord, yet we have individual paths to travel for His glory.

Peter has always been the one that would lead; John has always been the one that knew what was going on…special place in the life of Jesus that Peter didn’t have. Moment: Peter knows his own destiny. John 21:20-22

John 21:20–22 CSB

So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

Foundational lesson for each believer: get your eyes off others and follow Jesus. There is special purpose for each of us that has nothing to do with His plan or blessing for others. The message of the breakfast on the beach is the message for each of us today: Follow me.