I. Old Habits – Verses 1 - 4
The disciples have once again found themselves in their old haunts. They left Jerusalem head back to their home town of Galilee. The feast of unleavened bread was over and they would not return to Jerusalem for a few weeks when they would be there for the feast of Pentecost.
Peter went back to doing what he knew and what he thought he was good at Verse 3a, this was his comfort blanket, the old life was more inviting.
When things don’t go our way as Christians we may think that our old life would be easier. Maybe a drink will solve the problem, maybe a swearing fit will make me feel better. Maybe if we go back to the life we had before we wouldn’t have the problems we have as Christians.
The old life is inviting – it wants us back. Peter was comfortable in this environment again, remember that the Lord had called him out of this lifestyle in Mark 1:16-18 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. [17] And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. [18] And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.,
The Lord has called us out of our old lifestyles – 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [living]; 2 Cor 5:17 – New creature Old things past away
Here is the problem Verse 3b. When Peter went fishing he took 6 people with him. When we slip or backslide we may take people with us. Look at the disciples that went with him. Who were the other two??? Maybe they are you and me.
Maybe Peter thought about going into the fishing business full time again, he was skilled at this, he knew what he was doing. But, he caught nothing. No amount of skill could coax the fish into his net. No amount of experience could catch those fish – The Lord was not leading Peter into the fishing business.
Verse 4
Jesus knew exactly where His disciples were, and what they were doing. He knew what was going through Peter’s mind that he was toying with the idea of returning to the world and that Peter would take people with him.
He has come for His disciples because He did not save them and call them so that they could return to their old life and be fishermen again. He has a better plan for their lives
The same is true in your life and mine! When we really belong to the Lord and wander off the path He has assigned us, we will not go away from Him forever!
He allowed them to have a miserable night, He made sure that the fish stayed away and that their night would be a disappointing one.
I know of several people who are not where they should be with the Lord and they are miserable and disappointed.
II. The Same Jesus – Verses 5 - 14
A. His Presence (Verses 5 – 8)
Day is breaking, the disciples are pulling towards the shore and there is the Lord standing on the beach, look at the conversation that takes place in Verse 5
Jesus calls them “Children” the Greek is Paidon and means a child or an immature Christian, it is from the word pais which means servant especially a minister of a king.
After His resurrection, our Lord was sometimes not recognised.
He was not recognised on the Road to Emmaus Luke 24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
He was not recognised by the tomb. John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
He was not recognised by the Sea. The disciples did not recognise the Lord and simply answer His question with a defeated “No”.
Verse 6
The Lord knew where the fish were. They had confessed their failure and it was time for Jesus to take over the situation. He told them where to cast the net; they obeyed, and they caught a multitude of fish
Note the number of the fish, v. 11. He gave them an over abundance. There will be times when God will bless you in abundance, Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The disciples had fished all night with nothing to show for it. Jesus shows up and they have plenty. The lesson is clear! Without Him, we can do nothing, John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing..
The difference between success and failure was the width of a ship! We are never far from success when we let Jesus give the orders; we are usually closer to success than we think.
Verse 7
He knows where the blessings are for your life, if you are willing then the Lord will reveal Himself to you, but are we prepared to meet Him?
Peter was “Naked” this does not mean that he was nude and had no clothes on at all, it means that he was “stripped for work” the Greek word goomnos means “ill clad” Peter was in no condition to meet the Lord dressed like he was.
What is our dress sense like? Are we naked? Do we have on filthy rags Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Or are we dressed ready to meet Him Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Peter could not wait for the boat to get to shore. When he knew it was the Lord he put on his outer garment and jumped into the water – he was desperate to see the Lord. Do you know how far he swam?
Verse 8 – The boat was 200 cubits from shore – a cubit is from the tips of your finger to the elbow – that’s about 18 inches. 200 cubits is about 300 foot / just short of a kilometre (4 lengths of a swimming pool)
For those of us who are clothed in the Lord’s Righteousness, do we have that desire to see our Lord?
B. His Provision (Verses 9 – 14)
Verse 9
There on the beach, the Lord of all the universe had began to prepare breakfast for the disciples. Isn’t it amazing at the lengths Christ goes to in order to meet our needs, in order to provide for us, in order to fellowship with us. God’s Son had prepared a fire and had cooked breakfast for His disciples.
The entire scene must have stirred Peter’s memory and touched his conscience.
He must have recalled the first catch of fish in Luke 5:1-11 – how similar an experience that had been how the nets had broke because of the number of fish caught.
Seeing the Bread and the fish would have reminded him of the time Christ fed the multitude in John 6.
The fire of coals would certainly remind Peter of the fire at which he had warmed his hands the night he denied the Lord. John 18:18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
The word used is for fire of coals is anthrakia, and it only occurs in these two places in the New Testament.
It is good for us to remember the past – we may have something to confess.
Verse 12 – Here we see another invitation from the Lord.
“Come” is the greatest word in the gospel. God first used the word in Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
God keeps on using the word and closes the Bible by using it twice Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
There are 3 invitations that stand out in John’s Gospel:
“Come and see” (John 1:39)
As far as John was concerned it had all begun in very much the same way, right here near this lake. Remember, he and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist, they listened as John pointed to Christ and said in John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. They then followed Jesus and had asked Him where He lived and Christ said, “Come and see”
“Come and drink” (John 7:37)
Have you ever been thirsty? How satisfying is it when you get a cool refreshing drink. Imagine never having to thirst again. Just as Israel of old had drunk from the life–giving stream flowing from the rock, so Christ offers those who believe in Him an ever flowing, never failing, soul satisfying, thirst quenching inner supply of living water.
“Come and dine” (John 21:12)
Christ anticipated the disciples needs, they would have been weak and weary from a night on the sea. They would have needed nourishment, and the Lord provided for them. He knew what they needed and when they needed it.
Although they knew it was the Lord, they were awed by Him. They knew Him, but didn’t know Him, so to speak. They felt they had to ask Him who He was, but they knew who He was. He was the same – but He was different.
Before, they had always been more aware of His humanity than His deity. Now they were more conscious of His deity.
Verse 13
This amazes me! Christ, after the disciples unbelief, after they had scarpered when the heat was turned up, after Peter denied and Thomas doubted He still wanted to fellowship with them.
The King of kings and Lord of lords served breakfast to His disciples on the beach; He gave food to all his guests. He not only provided it for them, and invited them to it, but He Himself divided it among them, and put it into their hands.
In that culture to eat someone food created a bond of friendship. Have you been around His table? Have you eaten the food He has provided for you? John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. – if you have then a bond of friendship has formed that no one can break.
Conclusion:
How loving of Jesus to feed Peter before He dealt with his spiritual needs. He gave Peter opportunity to dry off, get warm, satisfy his hunger, and enjoy personal fellowship with the Lord.
This is a good example for us to follow as we care for God’s people. Certainly the spiritual is more important than the physical, but caring for the physical can prepare the way for the spiritual ministry.
