Breakfast on the beach- Pt. II

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.

John recognized it was Jesus

It was John who got to the tomb first (20:4)

It was John who recognized the fact of Jesus resurrection first (20:8)

Now it is John who sees that it is Jesus on the beach and Peter was then in a rush to get to the Lord.

Peter threw himself in the water after putting on and girding outer garments.

One commentator thought, maybe Peter even thought he may be able to walk on water.

When Peter gets out it leaves a predicament and that is where we pick up the breakfast on the beach story tonight.

The word to feast on first

John 21:8–9 NASB95

8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. 9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.

John 21:10–11 NASB95

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

John 21:12–13 NASB95

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

John 21:14–15 NASB95

14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. 15 So 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, “Tend My lambs.”

John 21:16–17 NASB95

16 He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

What sticks out to you in this passage?

Who are the other disciples referenced (v.8)

You have to look back (21:2)

What interesting fact do you notice (v.9)?

There was already a fire, already fish on it and bread

How many fish were caught, and who drew them in? (v.11)?

153 fish

John uses an interesting phrase that may bring questions (v.12), what is it?

None of the disciples ventured to question Him, ‘who are You?’

Jesus asks a question of whom, and how (v.15)?

John says “Simon Peter”

Jesus says “Simon, son of John”

Jesus gave a specific instruction (v.15), what was it?

Tend My lambs

Jesus gives after another question, another instruction (v.16); what is the instruction?

Shepherd My sheep

A third exchange happens, how is Peter feeling now (v.17)?

Peter is grieved since he has now answered three times

How does Peter respond (v.17)?

Lord You know all things!

What instructions does Jesus give (v.17)?

Tend My sheep

Jesus invitation to come

Jesus had told them to cast on the other side for the catch (21:6)

Peter abandon ship (21:7)

The other disciples come to shore dragging the net (21:8)

The disciples notice there is already a fire, already fish and bread on it. Jesus is the Provider

Memory of when Peter was called originally come to mind (Lk5:1-11)

Or the feeding of the 5000 men with a few fish and loaves (Jn6).

Or maybe even to Peter seeing the fire reminded him of his denial of the Lord (Jn18:18)

Or could it bring to memory that the Lord came as a servant and even in the resurrection is a servant?

Jesus invites them to bring some of the catch in with them (v.10)

Simon (aka: he man) drew the net to land (v.11)

153 fish, wet net; it was thought this could be as much weight as 300lbs.

It was noted as 153 fish, fishermen always counted their catch, this was a very large catch, to the point they expected the net to break but it did not.

Dods: “Peter never landed a haul of fish without counting them, and John, fisherman as he was, could never forget the number of his largest takes.”

Peter in his brute strength (Bruce said) drew the net in.

There were some theories on why 153 fish starting with Augustine and going on, but we need not make a big deal out of it.

The invitation to come (v.12)

The servant Savior, Provider invites them to come and partake of His provision and to bring some of their catch too.

Come, Jesus has many invitations in the gospels, here are a few to consider.

Come and See (Jn1:29)

John 1:29 NASB95

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Come and learn (Mt11:28-29)

Matthew 11:28–29 NASB95

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Come and rest (Mk6:31)

Mark 6:31 NASB95

31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)

Come and dine (Jn21:12)

This one not on screen for it is our passage

Come and inherit (Mt25:34-36)

Matthew 25:34–36 NASB95

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’

Regarding (v.13) Dod says this:

“Not one of the disciples ventured to interrogate Him; Each man felt convinced it was the Lord, and a new reverence prevented them from questioning Him.”

He took bread, gave fish to them

John 21:13 NASB95

13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

I found this other interesting commentary by Spurgeon on this verse. It is a long quote so it will not be on the screen.

“They ate the bread and the fish that morning, I doubt not, in silent self-humiliation. Peter looked with tears in his eyes at the fire of coals, remembering how he stood and warmed himself when he denied his Master. Thomas stood there, wondering that he should have dared to ask such proofs of a fact most clean. All of them felt that they could shrink into nothing in his divine presence, since they had behaved so ill.”

In John’s account this is the third time the Lord manifested himself to the disciples (v.14)

Calling of a shepherd

John 21:15 NASB95

15 So 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, “Tend My lambs.”

Peter who denied Jesus three times now is addressed by Jesus and is called in love to be a shepherd.

This is not forgiving Peter, that had been done. Jesus met with Peter on Resurrection Sunday; this is the calling of Peter (Lk24:34; 1Cor15:5)

Jesus knowing all things is now calling Peter to reflect and know for his new calling that comes with love.

First time, do you love Me (Agape); Tend My lambs

Is Jesus number one, more than anyone, anything in your life?

John 21:16 NASB95

16 He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.”

Second time, Do you love Me (Agape); Shepherd My sheep.

Now Peter is called to sacrifice the life he had (fisherman of fish) to shepherd the Lord’s sheep. Lay down your life for them.

He was a true minister a fisher of men and a shepherd taking care of the Lord’s flock.

John 21:17 NASB95

17 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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

Third time, Do you love me (Phileo) and Peter responds yes (Agape); Tend My sheep

So taking care of the flock that the Lord has entrusted. This is the job not just of Peter but of the elders called to such a place.

To meet the spiritual needs, to protect the flock, and tend to the needs of the flock. These are the Lord’s sheep, the Lord’s lamb’s it is the Lord’s flock and He entrusts them to men to care for them.

(Conclusion) The Lord did not admonish Peter, he appointed Peter, he challenged Peter and in turn those who would come after him that would minister. Peter and the others who were hearing this had quiet a work ahead of them, just as we do today, a great work in a field that is ready for harvest. May the love of the Lord in us be the love of the Lord through us as we make an impact for Jesus