Deja Vu
Opening Prayer
Lord God, my God, I am here before You at Your invitation. I want to be with You now.
Read John 21:1-14
[1] Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: [2] Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. [3] “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. [4] Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. [5] He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. [6] He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. [7] Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. [8] The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. [9] When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” [11] So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. [12] Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. [13] Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. [14] This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why do you think Jesus had this "breakfast"?After the resurrection, Peter decides to go back to fishing. This story in John 21 is very similar to Peter’s first calling (Luke 5:1-11), evoking a sense of déjà vu. In both stories, Jesus tells Peter to let down the nets and there is an abundant catch of fish. In fact, the catch of fish is so large that it causes the fishermen difficulties! Yet the stories differ in terms of Peter’s response. In Luke 5, Peter is overcome by an awareness of his sinfulness, seeming to push Jesus away (Luke 5:8). In John 21, Peter jumps into the water and heads toward Jesus. In the last three years, Peter has discovered what it looks like to respond to Jesus with the equivalent of “Lord, I am coming” (Psa. 27:8). The Peter who betrayed Jesus knows he is a sinful man. He also knows he is a forgiven man. And his response is to rush towards Jesus rather than push him away. Peter’s response is a challenge to us. He knew who he was in relation to Jesus, but he also knew what it was to be forgiven. Most of all, he knew how to eat fish and just be with Jesus (12,13)!
Apply
What would it look like for you to spend “Peter-style” time with Jesus today? Will you do it now or soon?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I’m grateful for the forgiveness You offer me, and for time to spend in Your presence each day.
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