Wednesday - Because He Lives

Welcome to Daily Prayer. This is Week 4 of the Because He Lives series — encounters with the risen Jesus. This week we pray through the encounter Jesus had with Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus in the fear and chaos of the crucifixion. Let us quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord, anticipating a special connection with him today. Father, today we give everyone and everything to you.

John 21:1–19 (ESV)

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, 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 go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 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. 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.

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. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

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. 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.

Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Word of Encouragement

It is easy to pass quickly over this scene, but it is full of grace. Jesus has prepared a charcoal fire. He has bread and fish ready. He invites tired disciples to come and eat. Before the difficult conversation with Peter, before the commission, and before the call to costly faithfulness, Jesus feeds them. Jesus does not only call us to serve; He welcomes us to receive. He knows our limitations. He knows we have limited time and energy. He knows how to nourish tired people before sending them forward. The invitation to breakfast is an invitation to rest in His provision, to receive His care, and to remember that our life with Him is not built only on doing, but also on being with Him.

A Prayer of Adoration

Jesus, I worship You as the One who welcomes and nourishes Your people. You are tender in Your care. You know how to prepare what is needed for tired hearts. You do not relate to Your people only as workers, but as beloved ones who are invited near. I praise You for Your kindness. I praise You because You are not hurried or harsh, but attentive and full of grace.

A Prayer of Thankfulness

Thank You, Jesus, for the simple tenderness of this scene. Thank You that You fed Your disciples. Thank You that You see fatigue and meet it with compassion. Thank You that You invite Your people to receive from You. Thank You that I do not have to earn Your welcome, and can come to you with little to offer.

A Prayer of Petition

Lord, teach me how to receive from You. Slow me down enough to accept Your care. Where I am tired, nourish me. Where I am depleted, strengthen me. Where I live too driven or too hurried, help me rest in Your provision. Teach me to be with You, not only to work for You.

Closing Prayer

During these last few moments, picture Jesus inviting you near with the words, “Come and have breakfast.” Bring Him your fatigue, your hurry, and your inner depletion, and ask Him to teach you how to rest in His care and simply receive from Him today.