Sermon (April 12) - "Come and Have Breakfast"
John 21:1-14
This scene takes place in a placed called Tabgha, just west of Capernaum. V. 4 is a way for John to point out the sunrise and hope at the appearance of the Risen Christ.
The disciples resumed fishing because this was what they knew how to do. They were getting on with their lives after the death of Jesus. They needed to support their families.
Like Mary at the empty tomb, they didn't recognize the Risen Christ at first.
The purpose of this story is to show the disciples that on their own strength, they can't catch any fish. With Jesus, they will be able to carry on the mission that Jesus started.
Forgiveness is a way for us to experience wholeness in our lives. This is what happened to Peter in this story with Jesus on the beach.
On the beach, Jesus is by a charcoal fire. Peter had denied Jesus by a charcoal fire!
The disciples were able to catch 153 fish, John tells us, enough for a whole village! The fun part of the story is that Jesus already has fish that he is cooking by the fire! This is to show us that Jesus does not expect us to be in ministry on our own strength. The Risen Christ is more than capable to empower us and provide what we need!
We must always be prepared to be surprised by the presence of Christ.
[Note: The resources used for these scripture reading commentaries are based on the Everyone series by NT Wright, Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, The Wesley Study Bible, and the “Montreal-Anglican”lectionary commentaries.]
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