Mercy: The Lord manifested Himself to His disciples in the way of grace (v1). Even though He had ordered them to meet Him on a mountain in Galilee (Mt. 28:16), the disciples were by the shores of Galilee (v3).[1] What’s more, instead of fishing for men (Mt. 4:19), they went back to their former occupation.[2] How would the Lord deal with these disobedient disciples? Would He disown them? Would He renounce them? That is what they deserved,[3] but He showed them mercy instead. He did not deal with them according to their sins (Ps. 103:10), but He instead met their needs and led them to repentance.[4]

Provision: The Lord saw their needs and He gave them an impressive catch as a token of His provision for them (Phil. 4:19; Ps. 50:10-12). But He gave them much more than sustenance; He taught them a vital spiritual lesson. He first made sure they admitted their failure (v5). Professional fishermen must realize they cannot fish apart from God. The same is true of all professions. Only as God provides do we put food on the table and pay our bills. Through this token provision He taught them: we mind His business, and He will mind our business (Mt. 6:33). Jesus also prepared breakfast for them (v9). He first offered it, then served it to them (vv12-13). He washed their feet (Jn. 13:14); now He served them breakfast. The kindness of God leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4).

[1] V14 explicitly identifies this appearance as the third manifestation to the disciples. The first two were in Jerusalem (John 20:19, 26). This was now the next post-resurrection appearance. But Jesus told them to meet Him on a mountain of Galilee. This means they disobeyed the Lord’s orders.

[2] The twelve were called apostles (Lk. 6:13) because they were sent by the Lord to be fishers of men (Mt. 4:19; Lk. 5:10). Jesus then reiterated this role of being sent by Him in His first post-resurrection appearance (Jn. 20:21). Despite all this, they went back to fishing instead of fulfilling their ministry (Acts 20:24; Col. 4:17).

[3] Peter’s denials were worthy of perdition (Mt. 10:33). Disobedience deserved the same (Lk. 6:46; Mt. 7:23). But Jesus gently led them to fruit-bearing repentance, and they will surely not perish (Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30).

[4] All the elect of God will indeed abstain from evil (2 Tim. 2:19) and obey the Lord (Acts 4:19; 5:29; Heb. 5:9).