JOHN 21:1-12 – 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.”
THEME OF THE DAY: BREAKFAST WITH JESUS. Today’s scripture is a riveting account in the lives of the Lord and His disciples. Coming off the heels of denying the Lord, these disciples, beginning with Peter, were throwing in the towel when it came to being loyal disciples of Jesus. They failed as followers of Jesus so they thought they could go back to something they were good at – fishing. The problem is, and they would learn, there is no turning back when one is called by Jesus and responds to Jesus. Yes, failure will come. Yes, falls will happen, but falling away will not. Basically, Jesus says, “No guys, you cannot go back. You are going fishing but like I told you when I called you, ‘From now on, you will fish for men, not fish.”
Well, the amazing story continues with Jesus directing them where to cast the net, and a huge catch resulted, humbling the disciples and revealing the glory of the Lord. And then, the great invitation. Jesus cries out to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Sit back and be one of the disciples. The Creator invites us to have breakfast with Him! Not a breakfast of condemning “I told you that all you would deny Me.” No, a breakfast of restoration.
Do we realize that invitation to have breakfast with Jesus comes to us every day? Obviously, not physical, but spiritual. By His Word and prayer, we are invited to “dine with Jesus” before the pace and distractions of the world come upon us. Are we seizing it? Jesus, Himself, got up early before dawn to seek time with His Father long before the demands of the day screamed for Him (Mark 1:35). Moses prayed, “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14).
Meeting God in the morning is a great way to orient our day on the spiritual and eternal. May the Lord help us to start our day “having breakfast with Him” as we enjoy the fellowship with Him who is “food for our souls” – the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
PRAYER: “Father, help me to start my day with You and not the people or things of the world.”
QUOTE: “Meeting God in the morning is a great way to orient our day on the spiritual and eternal.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim