December 25 – Fish For Christmas Breakfast

After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught." Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. John 21:1-14

I love this story. Jesus had already cooked up fish before He called to them. Of course it was not Christmas morning when Jesus spoke these red letter words to seven of His disciples who were out fishing. He must have known that they were really hungry since He told them to bring some of their fresh catch. Those fishermen didn’t have the sophisticated fish finder equipment that our fishing friends today have, so their nets were empty until Jesus told them just where to throw their net. And who took the time to count those 153 fish? John, Jim and Jerry are three jolly fishermen now who do more catch and release of their fish than haul them home to eat—so it is more about the fish stories than fish frying with them. Jesus wouldn’t have to tell them to throw their lines over the other side of the boat—their fish finder tells them just where the fish are. Do you need Jesus to tell you where to fish? Are you fishing for salmon, rainbow trout, bass, blue gill…or are you fishing for men? Jesus helped His disciples catch a lot of fish that day…and then they went on to persuade thousands of people that Jesus was the Messiah. They did become the Fishers of Men that Jesus called them to be three years earlier. 

So come and have breakfast. Feast on Jesus’ red letter words on this Christmas day. You will likely feast on some turkey, prime rib or ham at some time during this day…but remember Jesus’ words and offer His words of salvation to other people around you. Words like Peace, Love, and Joy are meaningless unless there is an act of kindness associated with them. Jesus didn’t tell people to offer just words to others, but to put actions behind those words.

Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' ...The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'  Matthew 25:34-36, 40

We are admonished in James 1:22 to be doers of the word. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. So on this Christmas Day consider what Jesus did for you…and reach out to someone in your circle of family, friends and neighbors who needs the Lord. Share His love as well as peace and joy of the day. Their hunger, thirst, or imprisonment may be a spiritual one, as well as a physical one, and Jesus words can bring the healing touch that they need. Blessings on you as you seek and serve the Lord—on His day and every day. 

 Dear Jesus—help us to see those in need of You, of Your healing touch—and show us how to minister to them in tangible ways.

Happy Christmas!

©2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).