We do not get many stories about Jesus after He rose from the dead. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it is as if Jesus emerges from the tomb, has a few brief conversations, commissions the disciples, and then ascends into heaven. (Luke does write that Jesus hung out and taught for 40 days after He rose, but we have no record of those conversations.) John’s Gospel is different. From his prologue to the amount of time he spends writing about the passion week, John gives us something different in his Gospel. The same is true for the post-resurrection appearances. He writes of four different times of Jesus' appearing after Easter morning. These stories are whimsical. They are full of conversations and details. John was the last Gospel story to be written, with most scholars dating the writing of John somewhere between 68-90 AD. John, most likely, was able to read the other three Gospels before writing his story. This might give us a little insight to reason his account of Jesus. Maybe being late to the party does have its advantages.

When we remember that the area of Galilee was the home to more than one disciple is not that odd move as most of the disciples were from that area. The other clue is that when we cross-reference the Gospels. We see that in Matthew, the Angels at the empty tomb tell the Marys to tell Peter and the boys that Jesus will meet see them in Galilee (Matt 28:5-7).


The Apostle Paul tells us that when we are called to be God's children, we are made into a new creation (1Cor. 5:17). The old is gone, and the new is here, even if we do not know/see it. When we forget this truth, do you know what happens? When we act like Peter, and we forget, Jesus comes and meets us right where we are! This is what Jesus does in the 21st chapter of John. Jesus appears on the shore and asks if they have caught any fish (John 21:5).

While this is good stuff, this is not where we are going to land the plane. There is something better awaiting us on the shore.
Arriving at the shore with the disciples, we find that Jesus already has breakfast on the grill. Our Lord then tells Peter to go a get some of the fish that they just caught. Why would Jesus need more fish? What is He trying to show us? Maybe in this little moment, Jesus is inviting Peter to bring the gifts that he was given to be a part of the meal. Perhaps this is a little reminder that Jesus provides all things but still wants us to be a part of His mission. Maybe. But what happens next is absolutely amazing. Look at verse 12. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Did you catch that? The risen Lord, the One that could demand the worship of the disciples, the One that suffered, died and rose, the One that just blessed the unsuccessful fishermen with more fish than they could have dreamed asks them to come and eat breakfast. Not only does He ask them to come and eat, but then in verse 13, we read that Jesus served them breakfast! Only Jesus!

Come and start your day eating from and with the Bread of Life. If you cannot make it in the morning, don't worry it is served all day long. It is ready, and He is waiting.
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