3-4The rest of them replied, "We're going with you." They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn't recognize him.
5Jesus spoke to them: "Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?"
They answered, "No."
6He said, "Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens."
They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren't strong enough to pull it in.
7-9Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Master!"
When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren't far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.
10-11Jesus said, "Bring some of the fish you've just caught." Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn't rip.
12Jesus said, "Breakfast is ready." Not one of the disciples dared ask, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Master.
13-14Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.
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This is one of my favorite Bible stories. I love the mental image of Jesus sitting on the beach, with some fresh fish over a fire. Peter is so excited he can't wait for the ship to come to shore; instead he puts on his clothes and hops overboard. The last time Peter had done this (In Matthew) he ended up flailing around in the water while Jesus was walking on it! Breakfast is ready. Jesus is serving.
Jesus does not only give us spiritual strength. Jesus provides for us in real ways as well. We do not always recognize them as miracles, but they are. Jesus sends people in and out of our lives who help us after those long, rocky nights in the turbulent seas of our lives. When I was in a boat that seemed ready to sink, just before I plunged to the depths a man came into my life and helped me understand what hope in Christ was. When I needed something steady to hold on to, he showed me how to anchor life to Christ. He wasn't preachy or harsh, but rather strong and kind. He gave me what I needed; an example to live by. May we realize that Christ uses us in miraculous ways, and may we be grateful for the gifts God sends into our lives.
Blessings
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