In our failures, Jesus makes breakfast

​In John 21:1-25 we read a fabulous story.  The more I learn about Christ, the more I love Him.  He is majestic, loving, giving, powerful, but sometimes, just plain old “cool!”.  As background to the story, Jesus as been crucified and has risen from the grave.  If you recall, every disciple of Jesus failed him during this time.  They denied him, fled from the scene, hid away, and didn’t initially believe his resurrection story when the women told them.  You can imagine how they might be afraid of Jesus finding them, and what vengeance He would bring them!  I would be nervous as well. Let’s see---the last thing I did with Jesus was ----- blow it big time…. Commit the ultimate failure (despite Jesus predicting it).  I would be confident that I’d be fired from the role of disciple, and maybe given a plague or two in return for my not-so-loyal service.  I’m sure there would be a special place in hell for me…..What greater sin is to deny the Holy Son of God in His presence? Then run and hide? 
 
Jesus is the opposite of what we think.  As the disciples are fishing, and once again failing miserably, Jesus is cooking them breakfast --- fresh, hot, delicious.  He isn’t planning how to punish them, but how to feed them.  He isn’t preparing a judgement, but a feast.  Jesus isn’t preparing a penalty, but a hospitable call. How beautiful is that!  First, Jesus gives them a miracle of fish after their efforts have brought nothing forth.  He fills their empty nets of failure. Then comes the call:  “Come have breakfast!”.  After a long night of work, exhausted and hungry, there is no better call. Instead of “You’re gonna get it!”, Jesus invites them:  “Come and get it!”  The Bible says that they didn’t even recognize it as Christ ---- that voice they had heard for years….the voice that called Lazarus from the grave and told the storm “Peace, be still!”.  What forgetful failures these guys were ---- yet Jesus invites them to a warm meal, a blazing fire, smoky delicious smells, a marvelous sunrise view and a net-full of fish. 
 
Jesus then goes on in the story to reconcile the disciples back into His fellowship --- especially Peter who denied him three times.  Luke, the Doctor, is the only one who gives us the fateful line after Peter curses that he knows not the Lord:  "And Jesus turned and looked upon Peter." (Luke 22:61)  Oh, to meet the eyes of the Savior after betraying Him!  What a dark moment. What a downfall. I try to imagine my sinful eyes locked in the eternal eyes of Love. Luke paints a dark picture.  Not a week later, Jesus is inviting Peter to eat as friends.  Friend, I don’t care what you have done in your life.   It will never be worse than denying God Incarnate three times.  Never.  Peter committed treason, heresy and ingratitude as Jesus was literally dying for Peter’s own sins.  And all within earshot of Jesus Himself....If Jesus cooked Peter breakfast and forgave him, Jesus will do the same for you.  Pull up a chair, don’t be shy.  Jesus only has love and forgiveness for you today.  He wants to fill the empty net you are struggling with this hour.  Plus, He wants to just hang out with you….enjoy a hot breakfast….watch the fire die out…..be in your life after a long night of failure-fishing.  When Jesus invites you to breakfast, it’s the sign of a brand new day.

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