Read:
Reflect:
The excitement and wonder of Jesus’ resurrection seems to have “worn off” a bit for the disciples. Yes, he had appeared to them two times, but he was not always physically with them. What were they to do? Some time had passed since they had last seen Jesus so they had gone back to Galilee (a trip of about 140 km). Seven of them had gathered at the Sea of Tiberias/ Galilee (vv 1-2) without anything in particular to do. So Peter reverted back to his old profession and announced that he was going fishing, to which the others agreed. There night-time effort was frustrating because they caught nothing (v 3). That was when Jesus met them for the third time.
This time Jesus made himself known to the disciples through some unusual miraculous circumstances. As morning dawned he called from the shore asking if they had caught anything, and they answered, “no”. His instruction that they cast the net on the other side of the boat must have seemed very strange. One would hardly expect that to be an effective fishing strategy, and who was that stranger on the shore anyway? However, to their amazement they caught a multitude of fish. John (the beloved disciple) seemed to recognize the miracle, and quickly drawing the conclusion that the person on the beach was Jesus, called out to Peter: It is the Lord! (v 7). Peter, impulsive as usual, dove into the water and swam to shore, leaving the others to drag in the full net of fish. There is no record of any conversation between Jesus and Peter when they met. Perhaps, due to Peter’s earlier betrayal of Jesus, their meeting was rather awkward (we will explore their full reconciliation in the following reflection). In any case, Jesus already had a fire going and some food prepared, but when he asked his disciples to contribute from their great catch, Peter dashed off to drag the surprisingly untorn net full of 153 large fish (who counted?) ashore. Brisk action may have been his way of escaping a tense moment, but it could also indicate a willingness to be helpful and show his desire for a restored relationship.
Jesus’ invitation: Come and have breakfast, seems so ordinary and unremarkable. But perhaps that is just the point; he sought a close relationship with his disciples in the ordinary and mundane details of life. Eating together was a clear signal of such a desire and shared hospitality. The disciples were puzzled. They knew it was Jesus (v 12), but who was he really? How could he eat with them as usual and yet appear and disappear at will? How were they to relate to him in the future if he were not always present and seemed so different? In their mystification they didn’t dare to ask him to explain. Perhaps, as he gave them the bread and fish (v 13) he was revealed to them (v 14) as their servant. Just like he had told them earlier:
…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
And now they were to follow him in the same path of service.
The disciples of Jesus had the privilege of experiencing him in his new resurrected life. They knew him to be real, though with some differences, and bore testimony to it. What might this mean for us? We may not see Jesus physically now, but we can be aware of his presence, and should look for it in the ordinary affairs of our lives. After all, he promised: I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus served his disciples with generous hospitality, and that is a clear model for us to serve one another with humility and grace.
Respond:
Jesus is truly alive and now seated at God’s right hand. Let us love him, believe in him, and recognize all he has done for us with inexpressible joy. He is our Savior.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)