Fire Stories: Breakfast on the Beach! | John 21:1-19

Today on the Bible for Busy People, a cooking lesson with Jesus. Not quite, but we are gonna talk about how he made breakfast on the beach for his closest friends.Last time we talked about how Jesus died for our sins and how he was crucified. And how he did it all for love’s sake. And we talked about how Peter was terrified and so scared because it wasn’t what he expected to happen, even though Jesus prepared his heart for it. And so he denied knowing Jesus by a fire in the courtyard where he stood warming his hands. Well, now he’s gonna be reunited with his risen Lord around another fire. We’re in John Chapter 21: 1-19

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Transcription:

Today on the Bible for Busy People, a cooking lesson with Jesus. Not quite, but we are gonna talk about how he made breakfast on the beach for his closest friends. Hi there, I’m Erica, and you are right in the middle of a series called Fire Stories in the Bible, and today’s is so beautiful. Last time we talked about how Jesus died for our sins and how he was crucified. And how he did it all for love’s sake. And we talked about how Peter was terrified and so scared because it wasn’t what he expected to happen, even though Jesus prepared his heart for it. And so he denied knowing Jesus by a fire in the courtyard where he stood warming his hands. Well, now he’s gonna be reunited with his risen Lord around another fire.

Join me today in the Gospel of John Chapter 21. “Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.” He’s risen now. “This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there; Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the Sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ ‘We’ll come too.’ They all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn, Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied. Then he said, ‘Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat.'” Can you picture Jesus saying this? I love it! “‘And you’ll get some!’ So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved.” That’s John referencing himself, which I always think is interesting. Said to Peter. John said to Peter, “‘It’s the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord he put on his tunic, for he had stripped for work, jumped into the water and headed to shore.” Peter is remembering at this point how loved he is. “The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them, fish cooking over a charcoal fire and some bread.” Jesus made them breakfast. “‘Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.'” Keep your finger in that takeaway verse because it’s beautiful. “‘Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.’ Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish,” not small, large fish, “and yet the net hadn’t torn. ‘Now come and have some breakfast.’ Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.” The son of God risen from the dead, making breakfast, and serving it. “This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord.’ Peter replied, ‘You know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs.’ Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord.’ Peter said, ‘You know, I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep.’ A third time he asked him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth.'” This is Jesus speaking to Peter. “‘When you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.’ Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, ‘Follow me’.

What a beautiful story of redemption. Jesus is giving us a little piece of the future there. Remember last time we talked about how Peter would be crucified, have his arms stretched out upside down? He wouldn’t be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. I can’t imagine the pain, the excruciating pain of being crucified upside down, must be even worse. I can’t even imagine. But this was the man who Peter would become. You and I are not gonna be the same people we are today. Every day we’re growing in our faith, but don’t you love that Jesus gave Peter a second chance. He’s the God of the second chance. Peter denied Jesus three times by that fire in the courtyard while Jesus was being tried and convicted, though he did no wrong. And Jesus chooses the setting of a fire. He cooks breakfast for Peter and his friends over a fire. Perhaps the smell in the air brought back that memory for Peter of the horrible night that he denied his Lord, but now it’s being replaced by a new memory, a good memory. Jesus has forgiven him, and he asks him three times; Simon Peter, do you love me? And Peter has the wonderful opportunity to respond three times, yes Lord. You know I love you. In my mind, I feel like it was the Lord giving Peter the chance to wash away those denials. It’s who he is. He is our redeemer; he is our forgiver. He loves us so, so much. It’s a beautiful, beautiful story. Thank you for being here today. Remember you are also really, really loved.

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. Find more podcasts that will recharge you at onpurposely.com.