After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 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 after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to 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 there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish 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, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
John 21:1-14
Also in Tabgha is the Church of the Primacy of Peter. This is where Jesus appeared to his disciples for a third time after his death and resurrection.
Inside the church, a rock is incorporated into the floor at the front of the church. This rock is traditionally believed to be the place in which Jesus prepared breakfast for the disciples. It is known as the Mensa Christ, or the table of Christ.
During his time on earth, the disciples surely spent countless meals with Jesus. In conversation, in fellowship, in study. They broke bread and shared life together.
I imagine that as Jesus was put to death, the disciples struggled with meals afterwards. Their Savior was dead. The meals were probably quiet. They lost their teacher, their friend. I can imagine that they longed for one more meal. And as Peter reacted, it was a joy and blessing to the disciples to share in one more meal.
The church is located right on the shore of the Galilee. When we arrived, there was no one along the shoreline. We were able to spend time together taking in the Galilee, standing in the waters, listening to the waves come up the shore.
As I walked back up from the shore, passing the church to see the statue of Peter and Jesus, a large rock below me caught my eye. That day, I didn’t realize its significance. I was too busy making sure I made time to see the church, to see the statue, to stand in the Galilee, that I missed the importance of this rock.
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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt 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. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:15-19
“Do you love me?”
This rock was a reminder of the conversation that happened between Jesus and Peter after breakfast. After the disciples were able to share in another meal with Jesus, he questioned Peter, “Do you love me?”
Peter loved Jesus with everything in him, and he was hurt to be asked whether he loved Jesus or not. And for Jesus to ask him three times, was painful. But remember, just days prior, Peter had denied Jesus three times.
Do you ever feel like God should be asking you that question? “Do you love me?”
“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40, The Message
Are you feeding his sheep? Are you tending to them? Are you caring for them? We are called to care for God’s people. And we need to do so, now more than ever.
Lord, here we are, Your servants. Open our hearts, our hands, our pockets, our lives to feed and tend to Your sheep. Here we are. Use us. Work in us. Work through us. Amen.
Abbey Jo
Adventures with Abbey Jo 
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