Okay, the title is not original with me. “Breakfast with Jesus” was a subject given to me by my Pastor after he asked me to be part of a preaching team from our church. The text – John 21: 1-20, recounts the beautiful story of Jesus appearing to a group of His disciples while they were fishing. This was the third time they had seen Him since His resurrection.
They notice Him cooking breakfast on the shore and Peter – true to form – grabs his garment and runs to Jesus. Soon, they were all sitting down to eat with the One they knew was the risen Son of God.
The conversation begins and before long, Peter and Jesus are alone. Jesus is asking the questions – and Peter is grappling for answers.
“Do you love me? Feed my sheep,” Jesus begins. And, you know the rest of the story.
There is so much we can learn about Jesus from this story. Today, I want to remind us all of these attributes. Be encouraged.
Jesus cares about our simple needs.
They were hungry, tired, and needed direction. Jesus appears and delivers all of it – food, rest, and purpose. No matter where we are, He knows what we need and cares for us. Peter learned this well and speaks confidently years later – “Casting all of your cares on Him, because He cares about you. (I Peter 5:7, CSB)
Jesus moves toward us, even after we’ve moved away from Him.
They had gone to Galilee to fish – partly because that’s what they knew to do, and partly because He had told them to go. Their obedience brings this great blessing. But, Jesus doesn’t just send us away – He comes to where we are. Even when we choose to leave Him out of our lives, He pursues us. You can’t outrun His grace and there’s nowhere you can go away from His presence.
Jesus can still use us, even when we have failed Him.
Peter sees, first-hand in this experience, the power of Jesus to restore what has been broken. His three-fold denial is met here on the shore with a three-fold commission.
You may have disappointed yourself and failed in a moment of crisis to follow Jesus. Maybe the ring-tone on your phone sounds like a rooster crowing every time it rings.
It doesn’t matter. Jesus has already built the fire and the fish are on the grill. Instead of holding back in shame, why not run to the shore and have breakfast with Jesus today?
He is waiting.
Mike Harland is the Director of LifeWay Worship. When he’s not directing 30+ employees, you’ll find him leading worship at various churches around the country, writing/arranging worship songs and/or, writing his next book. In his spare time, he loves playing basketball and spending time with his family. Mike can be found on Twitter @MikeHarlandLW and on facebook.com/Mike.Harland.37.
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