1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. – Comment: Where did the disciples think that Jesus was when He disappeared twice from the room when He had finished speaking with them? As I read it the spirit world is co-existent with ours. Later on He was taken up into the sky but, in a way which we can but imagine Jesus was able to be ‘here’ and not ‘here’, ‘recognized’ and ‘not recognized’! Difficult to understand but believable if Jesus is God! After all the tension and the amazing meetings with Jesus, they probably needed to do a ‘down to earth thing’, for them it was fishing! 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. – Comment: Why did they, experienced fishermen, listen to an unknown bystander on the beach? Was it frustration because they hadn’t caught any fish and they would do anything to catch some? Did they subconsciously remember that something like this had happened before? (Luke 5: 1-11)They obeyed and got more than they could easily cope with!7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 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. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Comment: The Bible is honest. Sometimes, superficially, to its own hurt. In 1 Corinthians 15:4-8 St Paul states the number of times Jesus was seen after His resurrection, but he doesn’t mention this occurrence. Why does the record seem to skirt around the question of this Man on the beach being the Person who was their Crucified, Risen Leader? His persona is plainly inferred! Was it because if anyone had followed up St Paul’s challenge, mentioned above (1Cor 15: 5-8) they would have had to acknowledge that He didn’t look like He had looked before! They ‘knew’ it was the Lord‘ and but couldn’t prove to a court of Law’s satisfaction by a drawing to be looked at by those who had known Him and were skeptical that it was Him. Neither they had to, nor do we have to see Jesus ‘face to face’ to know that it is He who is dealing with us! God’s actions are easily discernible while He hides His face from us! They ‘knew’ and so can we!
1 Corinthians 15: 5-8 – …… that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Prayer: Thank You, O God that You have made reconciliation possible by the Cross and You dwell within us by Your Holy Spirit when we repent and believe!
As I read it! 