When Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

 

Breakfast by the Lake – John 21:1-14

Dear Friends, the resurrection has happened. Jesus has already appeared to the disciples twice. Yet here we find seven of them back in Galilee, doing what they knew best — fishing.

They fish all night and catch nothing. As dawn breaks, a figure stands on the shore and calls out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they reply.

He tells them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

They do — and the net becomes so full they can’t haul it in. 

John recognises Him first: “It is the Lord!” Peter, impulsive as ever, jumps into the water and swims to shore. The others follow in the boat, dragging the heavy net. When they reach land, they find Jesus has already prepared a charcoal fire with fish and bread.

“Come and have breakfast,” He says.

This is the third time Jesus appears to the disciples after rising from the dead. He doesn’t rebuke them for going back to fishing. Instead, He meets them right where they are — tired, unsuccessful, and perhaps a little lost — and provides abundantly. Not only does He give them a miraculous catch (153 large fish, yet the net doesn’t break), but He also cooks breakfast for them. The risen Lord serves His tired disciples.

Today, pause in the quiet. How often do we return to old patterns when we feel uncertain? The disciples went back to fishing after the greatest event in history. Yet Jesus didn’t scold them — He met them there, provided for them, and gently reminded them who He is.

He still does the same for us. When we feel weary, unsuccessful, or unsure of our next step, Jesus meets us right where we are. He provides what we need, restores our purpose, and invites us to sit with Him. The same Jesus who prepared breakfast by the lake still prepares a table for us today.

Point to Ponder: Jesus doesn’t wait for us to get our lives perfectly together before He meets us. He comes to us in our ordinary, tired moments and turns them into encounters with grace.

Verse to Remember: “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’” (John 21:12 NIV)

Question to Consider: This week, where do you feel tired or unsure, like the disciples after a long night with empty nets? What would it look like to hear Jesus gently calling you to come and sit with Him — to let Him provide, restore, and give you fresh purpose?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church