Jesus said to them, "Come and Have Breakfast"

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. (John 21:1-14)

Sunday the children heard about what the John’s Gospel counts as Jesus’ third resurrection appearance. Several of Jesus’ disciples are fishing on a boat in the Sea of Tiberias one night. They return early in the morning, their nets are empty and an apparent stranger is standing on the shore. He calls out to the disappointed and tired men, “"Friends, haven't you any fish?"

They tell the stranger no and begin laying out their nets to dry in the sun. The stranger tells them to stop and to go back out. He gives specific instructions, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some."

We imagined how tired and maybe annoyed the disciples may have been to get such a command from some fellow on the beach. Maybe they thought the guy was pushy! Yet, they obeyed, even though it was against their common sense and knowledge of fishing. As they were getting ready to get back into the water, one of the disciples told another, “It is the Lord!” Was he guessing? Was he hoping?

John’s Gospel tells us that the disciples headed out into the lake and soon caught 153 fish in a net. The net, which did not break, had to be hauled in by boat. Once the fish were on the beach, the men noticed that the stranger, who everyone now could plainly see was Jesus (!), had started a cooking fire. And what on earth was he doing?? He was cooking the disciples a breakfast of fish and bread.

Now, there we sat as a class, shocked again. The Special Son of God is cooking breakfast on the beach for a bunch of fussy fishers. What in the world? (Cue the giggling and exaggerated gasps from the circle of children.)

Why, oh why, we wondered, is the once dead-now alive Jesus feeding his disciples again? After some discussion, a child suggested that Jesus wanted his disciples to eat and so they could be strong. As the discussion continued, the children thought that Jesus wanted us to be well-fed as well. Jesus’ feeding, specifically his feeding people with bread, keeps people from being “weak”.

How? We’re not exactly sure how that works, but most children around the circle agree that somehow it does.

Next week: we’ll add on to last week’s story and tell it side-by-side the Good Shepherd Parable.

Breaking News: Sunday, May 17 the congregation will honor and thank our Seminarian and second year Godly Play Assistant Teacher Cho Too. “Miss” Cho, as she is known to the children. Sunday School will be held as usual; however, the children WILL SING in church just before Holy Communion. We hope to see everyone on May 17 so the children will have a chance to say (and sing) good bye to Miss Cho.