Shore Lunch

Shore Lunch

John 21:3-10, NKJV

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” 6And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Setting the Scene

At the beginning of the book of Acts, Luke tells us that Jesus “presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3, NIV). The disciples were in a daze of joy and confusion, still shaken by Jesus’ death and the way his final hours had revealed how weak they were. They were also overwhelmed by the reality of his resurrection.

With Jesus intent on leaving, the disciples were somewhat at a loss about what to do. So some of them went back to what was familiar. Peter decided to go fishing. Six other disciples joined him. The results of the trip weren’t much of an indication that Peter should resume his old career. After a night on the water the fishermen came up with nothing.

The setting may have reminded Peter of one of his first encounters with Jesus (Luke 5:1-11). The boats were hauled up on shore after a fruitless night of fishing, and Simon Peter and the others had been listening to Jesus teach as they cleaned their nets. Jesus had asked Simon if he could use his boat as a teaching platform and they pushed out a little from shore. After the teaching, Jesus suggested some fishing. Simon said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5, NIV). After a wasted night, what would another cast of the nets hurt? Their catch burdened their equipment and they had to call for help.

Now Peter was back on the same water, experiencing the same lack of success. He was about to call it quits when a voice called from shore to suggest tossing the nets over the right side of the boat. Peter must have found himself thinking again, “One more cast. What could it hurt?” Again, the net came alive with fish. All hands struggled to control the catch. At that point, John turned to Peter and said, “It’s the Lord!” (John 21:7, NLT). Peter jumped overboard and rushed to the beach. Jesus was busy at the fire, arranging the bread and fish he already had there. The other six got the boat and the bulging net to shore.

Jesus broke the ice with a simple invitation, “Come and have breakfast” (John 21:12, NIV). Suddenly it was back to the routine of the last three years, Jesus passing out the bread and fish, and the men enjoying easy company around a simple meal.

John notes this was their third encounter with Jesus following the Resurrection. The disciples were tongue-tied, unsure what to say or ask. They were simply enjoying Jesus’ presence. They were rediscovering what believers eventually must discover about the Lord—that Jesus longs for us to apply ourselves to him, giving ourselves attentively to him, seeking to know him more and more.

Getting Personal

Why do you think Peter’s decision to go fishing was a good idea?

When in your life has Jesus provided an interruption that changed everything and brought results you never expected?

What have been your best moments of simple fellowship with Christ?

We don’t know if Peter’s original reason for going fishing was his intention to resume his work as a fisherman or whether he found it hard to wait in inactivity. By fishing, he stayed in motion and he wasn’t being disobedient. Those are attitudes God loves to work with. Fishing is not a bad way to wait on the Lord.

Talking to God

Take a cue from this breakfast picnic and spend some simple time with the Savior. Try to come to him without a big agenda today, but with an openness to enjoying being in his presence and hoping to know him better.