Time For Breakfast
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. (Jonh 21:12-13)
When Peter heard Jesus say come, he dove head first into the water, leaving his boat, his net full of fish and his shame behind. You see just a few days earlier Peter made history by betraying the one who he said that he would never leave. As he was swimming to shore what was he thinking; Will Jesus condemn me, will he require me to be banished from his sight?
Peace washed over Peter as he got closer and closer; it was as if with every stroke he was being baptised in the waters of the Sea of Galilee.
So what did Jesus do when Peter reached the shore; he said “Come and have breakfast.”
You see Jesus wasn’t surprised by Peter’s denial. Earlier he had told him “Satan has asked to sift you, but I have prayed for you and when you turn back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus understood Peter and Jesus understands me too. He is fully aware that following Him requires more strength and courage than Peter and I will ever be able to muster up. Jesus knows that it is in our weakness that we are made strong.
When Jesus said, “Pick up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24), he was saying to me; lay down yourself. Simply die, and in this death your life of sin and disappointment will be replaced with the life he called abundant (John 10:10).
So today, Lord help me abandon myself, follow you and simply settle in for breakfast. “Taste and see that I am good.” (Psalm 34:8)